The second syllable is accented, with Japanese's unvoiced vowels making it pronounced almost like "ski" (but preceded by a "t" sound).

In karate and its variants, the term tsuki is used as a part of a compound word for any one of a variety of thrusting techniques (usually punches).

Note that in a compound word, where tsuki does not come first, its pronunciation and writing changes slightly due to rendaku, and it is pronounced as "zuki" (and is sometimes transliterated that way).

Karate gives special emphasis to the withdrawing hand – hikite (引き手) – which pulls back as the thrusting arm punches.

[2] Different karate styles will have slightly different pullback chambering positions, varying from as low as on top of the hip, to as high as the armpit.

On the other hand, Japanese karate styles, such as Shotokan, emphasize the movement of the hips as the main mean for generating power: The hips twist as the withdrawing (non-punching) hikite arm is pulled back while the punching arm is pushed forward, and the karateka is taught to tense the whole body and to push down his or her rear leg as the punch makes contact.

Picture striking a billiard ball with a cue stick, except both hands grip the jō with palms down, and thumbs forward.

The target area (datotsu-bui) for tsuki is the tsuki-bu, a multi-layered set of flaps, attached to the men (helmet) that protects the throat.