Taekwondo Terminology
Korean terminology is an essential part of Taekwondo training. Learning these terms helps you understand instructions, communicate with other martial artists worldwide, and connects you to the Korean origins of the art.
Commands (Myeong-ryeong)
These commands are used by instructors during class. Listen for them carefully!
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 차렷 | Charyeot | Attention |
| 경례 | Kyong-ye | Bow |
| 준비 | Junbi | Ready |
| 시작 | Sijak | Begin / Start |
| 바로 | Baro | Return (to ready position) |
| 그만 | Geuman | Stop / Finish |
| 쉬어 | Swieo | At ease / Rest |
| 뒤로 돌아 | Dwiro-dora | About turn (180°) |
| 기합 | Kihap | Shout / Yell |
| 계속 | Kyesok | Continue |
Stances (Seogi)
A strong stance is the foundation of all Taekwondo techniques.
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 나란히 서기 | Naranhi seogi | Parallel stance (feet together) |
| 모아 서기 | Moa seogi | Closed stance (feet together) |
| 주춤 서기 | Juchum seogi | Horse riding stance |
| 앞서기 | Ap seogi | Walking stance (short) |
| 앞굽이 | Ap kubi | Front stance (long) |
| 뒷굽이 | Dwit kubi | Back stance |
| 범서기 | Beom seogi | Tiger stance |
| 학다리 서기 | Hakdari seogi | Crane stance (one leg) |
| 꼬아 서기 | Kkoa seogi | Twisted stance |
Kicks (Chagi)
Taekwondo is famous for its dynamic kicking techniques. "Chagi" means kick.
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 앞차기 | Ap chagi | Front kick |
| 돌려차기 | Dollyo chagi | Turning kick / Roundhouse kick |
| 옆차기 | Yop chagi | Side kick |
| 뒤차기 | Dwi chagi | Back kick |
| 내려차기 | Naeryo chagi | Axe kick / Downward kick |
| 밀어차기 | Mireo chagi | Push kick |
| 반달차기 | Bandal chagi | Crescent kick |
| 후려차기 | Huryeo chagi | Hook kick |
| 뒤후려차기 | Dwi huryeo chagi | Spinning hook kick |
| 이단 옆차기 | Idan yop chagi | Jumping side kick |
| 무릎차기 | Mureup chagi | Knee kick |
Blocks (Makgi)
Blocks are defensive techniques. "Makgi" means block.
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 아래막기 | Arae makgi | Low block / Downward block |
| 몸통막기 | Momtong makgi | Middle block / Body block |
| 얼굴막기 | Olgul makgi | High block / Face block |
| 안막기 | An makgi | Inward block |
| 바깥막기 | Bakkat makgi | Outward block |
| 손날막기 | Sonnal makgi | Knife-hand block |
| 헤쳐막기 | Hecheo makgi | Spreading block / Wedge block |
| 산틀막기 | Santeul makgi | Mountain block |
| 비틀어막기 | Biteureo makgi | Twisting block |
Strikes & Punches (Chigi & Jireugi)
"Jireugi" means punch (thrusting), "Chigi" means strike (swinging).
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 지르기 | Jireugi | Punch |
| 몸통지르기 | Momtong jireugi | Middle punch / Body punch |
| 얼굴지르기 | Olgul jireugi | High punch / Face punch |
| 치기 | Chigi | Strike |
| 손날치기 | Sonnal chigi | Knife-hand strike |
| 등주먹치기 | Deungjumeok chigi | Backfist strike |
| 팔꿈치치기 | Palkumchi chigi | Elbow strike |
| 찌르기 | Jjireugi | Thrust / Spear-hand |
| 메주먹치기 | Mejumeok chigi | Hammer fist strike |
Body Parts & Targets
Body Sections
- Arae - Low section
- Momtong - Middle/body section
- Olgul - High/face section
Hand Parts
- Jumeok - Fist
- Sonnal - Knife-hand
- Deungjumeok - Backfist
- Palkumchi - Elbow
Foot Parts
- Ap chuk - Ball of foot
- Dwi chuk - Heel
- Balnal - Foot edge
- Baldung - Instep