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Kara can be interpreted to mean China or Empty. Originally China was used, as it referenced the origins of many aspects of the art. Te translates to Hand. The Okinawans had a fighting style that was referred to simply as Te. Combined with the learnings of the Chinese martial artist, it became Kara te. In the 1930's, the prominent martial artists on Okinawa got together and agreed that Empty would be more appropriate, so today it is translated as Empty Hand.
In modern day Shotokan karate the empty refers more to being empty of wickness and anger than it does of being empty of weapons. A state of mind.
Meaning empty hand. A Japanese system of unarmed combat, in which punches, chops, and kicks are made with the hands, feet, elbows, and legs.
Karate means "empty hand" -- or "way of the empty hand". It refers to the fact that it is a weapon-less martial art.