49 Taekwondo terms defined, including poomsae, dojang, dobok, kihap and gyeorugi, each explained in a single line of English.
Taekwondo terminology is Korean, and the commands come fast, so most students learn the vocabulary by hearing it rather than reading it. Set out below are the taekwondo words a student needs in the dojang: the words related to belts, forms and sparring, the words associated with kicks and blocks, and the commands that open and close every class. The taekwondo glossary at the end gives each term with a short meaning.
Must-Know Taekwondo Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Ap chagi (Front kick)
- Belt
- Black belt
- Dan (degree)
- Dojang
- Dobok
- Gyeorugi (sparring)
- Ho sin sul (self-defense)
- Hyung (forms)
- Kihap (yell)
- Kyorugi (competition)
- Kyukpa (breaking)
- Master
- Poomsae (pattern)
- Red belt
- Referee
- Roundhouse kick
- Sparring
- Stance
- Taegeuk
- Taekwondo
- Uniform
- Yellow belt
- Belt testing
- Blocking
- Chamber
- Hook kick
- Medal
- Point
- Reverse punch
Taekwondo Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Ap chagi (Front kick) | A straight kick driven forward, used to keep distance or to strike the body. |
| Arae | The low section of the body, one of the three target and blocking areas. |
| Belt | The colored belt showing rank, running from white through to black, and holding the dobok closed. |
| Belt Testing | The grading where a student shows techniques, forms and sparring to move up a rank. |
| Black belt | The rank marking a completed foundation. Counted in dan grades from there on. |
| Blocking | Deflecting or stopping an attack so a counter can follow. |
| Chagi | Kick. It appears at the end of every kick name, as in ap chagi. |
| Chamber | The drawn-back position of the knee or the fist before the technique fires. It stores the power. |
| Charyeot | Attention. The command to stand straight and still, usually followed by the bow. |
| Dan (degree) | Black belt degree. Each dan is a further step, and higher dan holders usually teach. |
| Dobok | The Taekwondo uniform: light jacket and trousers, cut for kicking. |
| Dojang | The training hall where Taekwondo is practiced. |
| Dollyo chagi | Roundhouse kick, swung in an arc into the body or head. The most used kick in competition. |
| Dwit chagi | Back kick, driven straight backward with the heel while turning away from the opponent. |
| Gam-jeom | A penalty called in competition, which awards a point to the opponent. |
| Gyeorugi (sparring) | Sparring against a partner in protective gear, applying technique under pressure. Also romanized kyorugi. |
| Ho sin sul (self-defense) | The self-defense side of the art: releases, blocks, strikes, throws and joint locks against a grab or an attack. |
| Hogu | The padded chest protector worn in sparring, and the main scoring target. |
| Hook Kick | A kick swung past the target and pulled back with the heel, known as huryeo chagi. |
| Hyung (Forms) | The older Korean word for the set patterns of movement, still used in some schools where others say poomsae. |
| Jireugi | Punch. Written in compounds, as in momtong jireugi, a punch to the middle section. |
| Junbi | Ready. The command to take the ready stance before a form or a drill begins. |
| Kalyeo | Break. The referee's command to separate two competitors during a match. |
| Kihap (Yell) | The short, sharp shout on a technique, tightening the body and the breath. The same shout is kiai in Japanese arts. |
| Kukkiwon | The headquarters and grading body in Seoul that issues the internationally recognized dan certificates. |
| Kyeongnye | Bow. Given entering and leaving the dojang, to the instructor and to an opponent. |
| Kyorugi (Competition) | Competition sparring, points scored with kicks and punches to the legal target areas. The same word as gyeorugi. |
| Kyukpa (Breaking) | Breaking boards or tiles to demonstrate accuracy, speed and technique in tests and demonstrations. |
| Makgi | Block. Combined with a section name, as in arae makgi, a low block. |
| Master | A senior instructor, usually fourth dan and above, who leads training in a school. |
| Medal | The award for placing in a tournament event, whether sparring, forms or breaking. |
| Momtong | The middle section of the body, the main scoring area in sparring. |
| Olgul | The high section, meaning the face and head. |
| Point | A score for a legal strike to a target area. The total decides the match. |
| Poomsae (Pattern) | A set pattern of blocks, strikes and stances performed alone against imagined opponents. |
| Red belt | A senior student rank shortly before black belt, where technique is refined rather than learned. |
| Referee | The official who starts and stops the match, calls penalties and keeps the competitors safe. |
| Reverse Punch | A punch thrown with the rear hand across the body while the lead hand pulls back. |
| Roundhouse Kick | The arcing kick to body or head, powered by hip rotation. Dollyo chagi in Korean. |
| Sabeomnim | The respectful form of address for an instructor. Sabeom means teacher, nim is the honorific. |
| Sijak | Begin. The command that starts a form or a bout. |
| Sparring | Controlled fighting practice with a partner, the training version of competition. |
| Stance | The set positions of the feet and hips that give balance and power, from wide and low to short and quick. |
| Swieo | At ease. The command to relax out of the ready position. |
| Taegeuk | The eight color-belt poomsae of the Kukkiwon system, one for each grade on the way to black belt. |
| Taekwondo | The Korean martial art built on fast, high kicking. The name is usually read as the way of the foot and the fist. |
| Uniform | The dobok: jacket, trousers and belt, made to allow full movement. |
| Yellow Belt | An early rank, marking a student who has the basic stances, blocks and kicks. |
| Yop chagi | Side kick, driven out sideways with the edge of the foot and the hip turned over. |
#1 Ap chagi (Front kick)
A fundamental kick in Taekwondo where the practitioner delivers a straight kick directly in front of them. It’s used defensively to maintain distance or offensively to strike the opponent’s body or face.
#2 Belt
The belt in Taekwondo signifies a student’s rank and level of expertise, with colors progressing from white for beginners to black for experts. It also holds the dobok (uniform) together and represents the journey of skill acquisition.
#3 Black belt
Achieving a black belt in Taekwondo is a significant accomplishment, indicating expertise and dedication. It typically requires years of training and is just the beginning of advanced learning and mastery.
#4 Dan (degree)
In Taekwondo, “Dan” refers to the degree of black belt, with each Dan indicating a higher level of expertise. Practitioners must undergo rigorous testing for each advancement and are often instructors themselves.
#5 Dojang
The dojang is the training hall where Taekwondo students practice. It’s a place of respect, discipline, and learning, usually marked by traditional Korean symbols and etiquette.
#6 Dobok
The dobok is the official training attire for Taekwondo practitioners, designed to be lightweight and flexible. It symbolizes purity and discipline and is worn by students of all ranks during training and competition.
#7 Gyeorugi (sparring)
Gyeorugi, commonly known as sparring, is a type of practice fight between two practitioners in Taekwondo. It serves as a way to apply techniques in a controlled combat environment, simulating real-life fighting scenarios while wearing protective gear. Sparring helps improve timing, speed, and strategy under competitive conditions.
#8 Ho sin sul (self-defense)
Ho Sin Sul refers to the self-defense techniques taught in Taekwondo. These techniques include a range of blocks, strikes, throws, and joint locks designed to defend against and neutralize attacks. Practicing Ho Sin Sul equips students with the skills to protect themselves in dangerous situations effectively.
#9 Hyung (Forms)
Hyung refers to the traditional forms or patterns in Taekwondo, practiced to perfect motion, technique, and the flow of movements. Each form consists of a sequence of strikes, blocks, and stances simulating combat against multiple opponents.
#10 Kihap (Yell)
A kihap is a forceful yell or shout made by Taekwondo practitioners when executing techniques to express power, improve breathing, and strengthen the mind-body connection. It’s often heard during strikes or breaks in competition and training.
#11 Kyorugi (Competition)
Kyorugi is the sparring aspect of Taekwondo where competitors face off in a controlled environment, aiming to score points by landing kicks and punches on their opponent’s scoring zones wearing protective gear.
#12 Kyukpa (Breaking)
Kyukpa involves breaking materials like boards, bricks, or tiles with precise, powerful techniques to demonstrate strength, focus, and technique. It’s a common way to test and showcase a practitioner’s ability in demonstrations and belt testing.
#13 Master
In Taekwondo, a Master is a highly respected instructor who has achieved a high level of proficiency and usually holds a rank of 4th Dan (degree) or above. They lead training and impart their knowledge to students.
#14 Poomsae (Pattern)
Poomsae, or patterns, are predefined sequences of movements that simulate combat against an imaginary opponent. Each poomsae consists of an array of attacking and defensive movements performed in a set pattern. These forms are not only crucial for practicing techniques but also for developing precision, balance, and focus.
#15 Red belt
In Taekwondo, a red belt represents a high student level, signifying advanced proficiency in the martial art. Students at this level are refining their techniques and preparing for the transition to black belt, which represents mastery.
#16 Referee
In Taekwondo competitions, the referee has the critical role of overseeing matches, ensuring that the rules are followed, scoring points, and maintaining the safety of the competitors. The referee makes key decisions, starts and stops the fight, and awards points for successful hits.
#17 Roundhouse Kick
An essential Taekwondo technique where the practitioner delivers a powerful, swinging kick to an opponent’s body or head. The kick’s effectiveness comes from the speed and rotational force generated during the execution.
#18 Sparring
A controlled combat practice between Taekwondo practitioners to improve timing, speed, and strategy while minimizing the risk of injury. It’s an integral part of training that prepares students for actual self-defense situations or competitions.
#19 Stance
A fundamental position in Taekwondo that provides balance, strength, and readiness. Each stance serves a strategic purpose in defense or offense, varying from wide and stable to narrow and agile.
#20 Taegeuk
The term refers to a set of Poomsae or patterns in Taekwondo, each representing a different philosophical element and skill level. Practicing Taegeuk is crucial for progression through the belt ranks.
#21 Taekwondo
A Korean martial art characterized by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. Taekwondo translates to “the way of foot and fist,” reflecting its focus on various striking methods.
#22 Uniform
In Taekwondo, the uniform is known as ‘Dobok’ and comprises a jacket (top), trousers (bottom), and a belt (ti). Its design allows practitioners freedom of movement crucial for executing various techniques.
#23 Yellow Belt
A yellow belt in Taekwondo is one of the early ranks a student can achieve. It represents a beginner who has grasped the basic concepts and techniques of Taekwondo and is in the process of further learning and skill development.
#24 Belt Testing
Belt testing in Taekwondo is an evaluation process where students demonstrate their proficiency in techniques, forms, and sparring, aiming to advance to the next belt level. It’s a moment of pride and a test of skill and dedication.
#25 Blocking
Blocking refers to defensive movements in Taekwondo used to stop or deflect an opponent’s attacks. Proper blocking techniques are essential for protection and setting up counter-attacks during sparring or competition.
#26 Chamber
The chamber position in Taekwondo is the preparatory step for kicks, where one draws the knee up to generate power and precision. It’s essential for executing fast, effective strikes.
#27 Hook Kick
The hook kick, or “Huryeo Chagi” in Korean, involves swinging the leg in a hooking motion to strike an opponent. It’s a powerful technique targeting the head or body, requiring flexibility and control.
#28 Medal
In Taekwondo tournaments, medals are awarded to competitors based on their performance and placement in events such as sparring, forms, or breaking. They symbolize achievement and success in the martial art.
#29 Point
Points in Taekwondo competition are scored when competitors land legal strikes on target areas. A match’s outcome is often determined by the total points accumulated, showcasing technique and strategy.
#30 Reverse Punch
A reverse punch, often used in Taekwondo sparring, is a powerful technique where the practitioner delivers a punch across the body with the rear hand while the front hand retracts to the hip. This punch is valued for its power and speed, making it a common strike in both forms and sparring.
FAQ
What do you say at the start of a Taekwondo match?
The referee calls charyeot for attention and kyeongnye for the bow, then junbi to come to ready and sijak to begin. Sijak is the word that actually starts the action.
What is another word for kiai in Taekwondo?
Kihap. It is the Korean name for the short, sharp shout made on a technique. Kiai is the Japanese word for the same thing, used in karate and other Japanese arts.
What does swieo mean in Taekwondo?
At ease. It is the command to relax out of the ready position, usually given after charyeot and before the next instruction.
How do you address a Taekwondo master?
Sabeomnim. Sabeom means teacher and nim is the honorific that goes with it. Senior instructors, usually fourth dan and above, are also addressed as Master with the family name.
What does chamber mean in Taekwondo?
The chamber is the drawn-back position before a technique fires: the knee lifted and folded before a kick, or the fist pulled to the hip before a punch. It is where the power is stored.
They fall into ranks (kyu grades, dan, dobok, ti, sabeomnim), practice (poomsae, kyorugi, kyukpa, ho sin sul) and technique (chagi, makgi, jireugi, kihap, chamber). The taekwondo glossary above lists them all.
What are some Taekwondo terms for beginners?
“Ap chagi,” “Dobok,” and “Kihap” are some Taekwondo terms beginners should start with. These basics cover fundamental techniques, the Taekwondo uniform, and the traditional martial arts yell.
What are some funny Taekwondo terms?
While not inherently humorous, the term “Kihap,” which refers to the spirited yell, can be amusing as beginners learn to find their powerful Taekwondo voice.
What is a famous Taekwondo phrase?
“Fall down seven times, get up eight” is a famous Taekwondo phrase, embodying the spirit of perseverance and resilience central to martial arts philosophy.
