Korean Terminology

Classes in ITF Taekwon-Do are run in Korean. Here is the vocabulary you will hear most — from counting reps to the commands, titles and directions used in every dojang.

Counting

Native Korean numbers are used for counting repetitions (e.g. during exercises). Sino-Korean numbers are used for ranks and ordinals (e.g. il-dan = 1st degree).

#Native Korean (counting reps)
1Hana
2Dool
3Set
4Net
5Dasot
6Yasot
7Ilgop
8Yodol
9Ahop
10Yol
#Sino-Korean (ranks / ordinals)
1Il
2I
3Sam
4Sa
5O
6Yook
7Chil
8Pal
9Gu
10Ship

Commands & Etiquette

The instructor's calls that run a class. The opening sequence is usually Charyot → Kyong-ye → Junbi.

KoreanMeaning
CharyotAttention
Kyong-yeBow
JunbiReady
SijakBegin / start
GallyeoBreak (separate, in sparring)
GyesokContinue
Goman (Gûman)Stop / finish
BaroReturn to ready
SwiyoRelax / at ease
Dwiro doraAbout turn
HaechyoDismiss / break off
Tora / DoraTurn

Titles & Ranks

How instructors and students are addressed. Degrees (dan) are stated with Sino-Korean numbers — e.g. sam-dan = 3rd degree.

KoreanMeaning
JejaStudent
BoosabumAssistant instructor (1st–3rd dan)
SabumInstructor (4th–6th dan)
SahyunMaster (7th–8th dan)
SaseongGrandmaster (9th dan)
KoreanMeaning
Gup (Geup)Coloured-belt grade
DanBlack-belt degree
Dan-gun / YudanjaBlack-belt holder
Gyosa-nimRespectful address for a teacher
Sabum-nim“Honoured instructor” (-nim = respect)

Directions, Heights & Sides

These modifiers combine with technique names — e.g. Ap Joomuk Kaunde Jirugi = fore-fist middle punch.

KoreanMeaning
ApFront
DwitBack / rear
YopSide
AnInner
BakatOuter
WenLeft
OreunRight
KoreanMeaning
NopundeHigh section
KaundeMiddle section
NajundeLow section
SangTwin / double
Najunde / ChookyoDownward / rising
BandaeReverse
BandalHalf / crescent

Body & Tools

KoreanMeaning
JoomukFist
SonkalKnife-hand
SonkutFingertips
PalkupElbow
PalmokForearm
Son / SonbadakHand / palm
KoreanMeaning
BalFoot
BalkalFootsword (outer edge)
Ap KumchiBall of the foot
DwitchookBack heel
BaldungInstep
MooroopKnee

General & Dojang Terms

KoreanMeaning
Taekwon-Do“The way of the foot and fist”
DojangTraining hall
DobokTraining uniform
TiBelt
TulPattern
MatsogiSparring
DallyonTraining / forging the body
JirugiPunch
TaerigiStrike
TulgiThrust
ChagiKick
MakgiBlock
SogiStance
Kyok PaBreaking (power test)
Hosin SoolSelf-defence
Sine wavePahsang undong (knee-spring motion)

Romanisation varies between schools and federations (e.g. Goman / Gûman, Wen / Wenjok). The spellings here follow forms common in General Choi's Encyclopedia.

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Techniques & Motion

See these terms attached to real stances, blocks and kicks.

Open techniques →
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The 24 Patterns

Pattern names and their meanings.

Explore patterns →
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Fundamentals

Tenets, oath and the theory of power.

Learn fundamentals →