空手
Meanings
1
karate
The Japanese martial art and sport known as karate. Used as a noun in expressions such as 空手を習う, 空手の試合, and 空手の黒帯.
My son is learning karate twice a week.
She is a black belt in karate.
2
empty-handed; having nothing in one's hands
Only when written 空手
Literal use of 空手 meaning having nothing in one's hands or bringing nothing. In everyday conversation, 手ぶら is often the more common way to say this.
I felt it would be rude to go to the house I had been invited to empty-handed.
Usage patterns
- 空手を習うto learn/study karate
I've been learning karate since I was a child.
- 空手で帰るto go home empty-handed
I couldn't buy anything and went home empty-handed.
- 空手の試合に出るto compete in a karate match/tournament
I'm going to compete in a karate tournament next month.
- 空手で来るto come with nothing in hand (e.g. without a gift)
I felt embarrassed coming to visit empty-handed.
- 空手の道場に通うto attend a karate dojo/school
I go to a karate dojo three times a week.