Korean Basics Terminology

In taekwondo, Korean language is often used. During tests practitioners are usually asked what certain Korean words used in class mean. These words are fairly common amongst taekwondo schools, but accuracy of pronunciation can vary greatly.

Taekwondo can also be a great way to learn the Korean language by engaging in conversations with practitioners while at school. Here is a basic list of commonly used words that might be expected. Knowing the fundamental basics is very important for your learning path as you build your skills and knowledge. When you reach senior belt you are expected to guide the junior belts when they are beginning Taekwondo such as showing by example.

KOREAN BASICS
	Hangul 한글	Korean	Tutorial
Taekwondo Korean Martial Arts	태권도	taekwondo	Information »
GrandMaster	관장님	gwanjangnim	Information »
Master Instructor	사범님	sabeomnim	Information »
Instructor	교사님	gyosannim
Assistant Instructor	조교님	jogyonim
Training Uniform	도복	dobok	Information »
Belt	띠	dhee	Information »
Black Belt Degree Level	단	dan	Information »
Color Belt Grade Level	급	geup	Information »
School of Training	도장	dojang	Information »
World Taekwondo (WT) Forms or Patterns	품새	poomse	Information »
International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) Forms	형	hyeong	Information »
International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) Forms	틀	tul	Information »
World Taekwondo (WT) Sparring	겨루기	gyeorugi	Information »
International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) Sparring	맞서기	matsogi	Information »
Fist	주먹	jumeok	Information »
Knife Hand	손날	sonnal	Information »
Blocking	막기	makgi	Information »
Kicking	차기	chagi	Information »
Stance	서기	sogi	Information »
Closed Hand Strikes	지르기	jireugi	Information »
Striking Techniques	치기	chigi	Information »
Thrusting Techniques	찌르기	Jjireugi
Chopping Techniques	찍기	Jjikgi
Throwing Techniques	던지기	deonjigi	Information »
Falling Techniques	떨어지기	ddeoreojigi
Breaking Techniques	격파	gyeokpa	Information »
Self Defence Techniques	호신술	hosinsool	Information »
High Jump	높이뛰기	nopi-ttwigi
Jumping over an obstacle	뛰어넘기	ttwieo-neomgi
Jumping Turn	뛰어돌기	ttwieo-dolgi
Long Jump	멀리뛰기	meolli-ttwigi

KOREAN DIRECTION
	Hangul 한글	Korean	Tutorial
Front	앞	ap
Side	옆	yeop
Back	뒤	dwi
Turning	돌려	dollyeo
Downward	내려	naeryeo
Inward	안	an
Twisting	비틀어	bitureo
Outward	바깥	bakkat
Low section	아래	arae
Middle section	몸통	momtong
Upper section	올려	olgul

Did you know?

Impact Surface Area

Various surfaces of the body may be engaged as the blocking and striking surface depending on which area of the body is being targeted. This leads to a large array of blocking and striking positions. More information on Impact Surface Areas »

Surface	Korean	Description	Tutorial
Fist ( 주먹 jumeok ) - is an action where a hand has the fingers curled into the palm and the thumb retracted, displaying the knuckles.	주먹 jumeok	A fist ( 주먹 jumeok ) is an action where a hand has the fingers curled into the palm and the thumb retracted, displaying the knuckles. The act of creating a fist is known as 'making a fist' or 'clenching a fist'.	Tutorial »
Hammer Fist ( 메주먹 mejumeok ) - is an action where a hand has the fingers curled into the palm and the thumb retracted, using the bottom of the hand as the striking surface.	메주먹 mejumeok	A Hammer Fist is an action where a hand has the fingers curled into the palm and the thumb retracted, using the bottom of the hand as the striking surface. The act of creating a fist ( 주먹 jumeok ) is known as 'making a fist' or 'clenching a fist'.	Tutorial »
Hand Blade ( 손날 sonnal ) - striking surface extends with the muscle at the side of the hand located between the base of the small finger and the wrist.	손날 sonnal	By tucking the thumb into the palm, a striking surface called the knife hand or hand blade ( 손날 sonnal ) is formed. The striking surface extends with the muscle at the side of the hand located between the base of the small finger and the wrist.	Tutorial »
Ridgehand ( 손날등 sonnal-deung ) - reverse knife-hand is formed, extending a few inches along the inside of the hand below the first knuckle of the index finger.	손날등 sonnal-deung	By tucking the thumb into the palm, a striking surface called the ridgehand ( 손날등 sonnal-deung ), or reverse knife-hand is formed, extending a few inches along the inside of the hand below the first knuckle of the index finger.	Tutorial »

RESOURCES
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "Hand", "Fist (hand)", "Knife Hand", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

Related Information

Korean language is often used in taekwondo practice. During promotion tests, practitioners are usually asked what certain Korean words used in class mean. These words are fairly common amongst taekwondo schools, but accuracy of pronunciation can vary greatly.

Taekwondo Basics

Here is where you can learn more about Taekwondo 태권도. Knowing the fundamental basics is very important for your learning path as you build your skills and knowledge. There are certain rules that need to be followed to show respect to the master ( 사범님 sabeomnim ), the instructors ( 교사님 gyosannim ), other practitioners and to the martial arts. They vary between schools but many have similar rules and guidelines. For more information View Taekwondo Basics »

There are five tenets defined in the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and several more in World Taekwondo (WT).

**Indomitable Spirit ( 백절불굴 baekjul-boolgool ):** "To have indomitable spirit means to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, no matter what odds you are up against, and to always give 100% effort in whatever you do." View Taekwondo Tenets »

Taekwondo 태권도Taekwondo Preschool

Korean Basics Terminology

In taekwondo, Korean language is often used. During tests practitioners are usually asked what certain Korean words used in class mean. These words are fairly common amongst taekwondo schools, but accuracy of pronunciation can vary greatly.

KOREAN BASICS

KOREAN DIRECTION