The Japanese word for a karate belt is "obi". In karate, the obi is worn as a symbol of the wearers rank or proficiency in the martial art. The color of the obi indicates the wearers rank, with different colors representing different levels of proficiency. For example, a white belt is typically worn by beginners, while a black belt is worn by advanced practitioners. In between, there are different colored belts such as yellow, orange, blue, green, and purple, each representing a different level of proficiency. The specific colors and order of the belts can vary depending on the martial arts school or organization.