Kata, literally meaning "form" in Japanese. It describes detailed patterns of movements, with stepping and turning, while attempting to maintain perfect form. The karateka is to visualize the enemy attacks and their responses.

Bunkai literally meaning "analysis" or "disassembly" in Japanese.
It is the application of fighting techniques extracted from the moves of a kata. Bunkai is usually performed with a partner or a group of partners which execute predefined attacks, and the student performing the kata responds with defenses, counterattacks, or other actions, based on a part of the kata. This allows the student in the middle to understand what the movements in kata are meant to accomplish. It may also illustrate how to improve technique by adjusting distances, time moves properly, and adapt a technique depending on the size of an opponent.