Basic Japanese GO Terms

Go originated in China, and then gained popularity in Japan and Korea. For some reason, English speakers learning GO are taught the Japanese terminology for special GO words. (Even the word for the game is the Japanese word! Wei Qi = Chinese, Baduk = Korean, Go = Japanese.)

It is just about impossible to understand GO books, websites and comments on moves in games without understanding some of these Japanese GO terms. I will list some basics, but if you ever encounter one you don't know I suggest doing a search on Sensei's Library. There are some long lists there as well - Like this one and this even longer one with kanji.

Aji - Potential. Stones can have good or bad aji.
Atari - A stone or group of stones with only 1 liberty.
Dame - A liberty or neutral point between two groups of stones, without territory value.
Fuseki - A general term for the opening phase of the game.
Goban - The board you play GO on.
Gote - Losing the initiative, playing last, a defensive play
Hane - A play that reaches around the opponent - the response to a contact play. (Look this one up!)
Honte - the proper move, generally not flashy, just a solid, honest move
Hoshi - a "Star point" where handicap stones are placed, also good spot for an opening move
Ikken tobi - a one point jump
Joseki - a well tested series of moves that is considered to give even results for both players
Keima - a knight's move
Kifu - the game record, list of moves that allow others to reproduce the game
Ko - a spot where both sides can make continual captures, limited by a special rule for ko
Komi - the points given to white in compensation for going second, usually 6 1/2.
Miai - a situation with two equally good spots to play, if your opponent takes one you can take the other
Moyo - framework, a loosely connected set of stones intended to allow the player to build a living group and territory.
Sansan - the 3x3 point
Seki - called "mutual life", a situation where both opponents stones share the same liberties
Semeai - capturing race, mutual attack
Sente - initiative, playing first, being on offense, driving the direction of the game
Shodan - a ranking denoting GO mastery (1-dan)
Tenuki - playing elsewhere, choosing not to continue a local fight
Tesuji - a surprising, skillful, tactical play
Yose - the phase known as the endgame