Theory

Korean terminology

Useful Korean words and phrases for training and gradings. Beginners are examined in English; higher grades are expected to know the Korean.

No matching terms found.

Commands

KoreanEnglishUsage
CharyotAttentionCalls students to attention and to form the attention stance, most commonly before bowing.
Kyong YeBowUsed after the attention command to instruct students to bow. Bowing is a sign of courtesy.
JunbiReadyInstructs students to form the correct ready position.
Si JakStartInstructs students to commence the exercise.
GumanStopInstructs students to stop and remain where they are, such as in free sparring.
ParroReturnInstructs students to return to their original position.
SwiyoAt easeRelax with feet in parallel ready stance and hands behind the back.
Hae SanDismissInforms students that they are dismissed.
HaechyoSeparateInstructs students to pause and separate during free sparring.
GaesokContinueUsed after haechyo to instruct students to continue sparring.
Kooryong-opshiIn your own timePerform the exercise at your own pace.
Kooryong-machoIn my timePerform the exercise on the instructor’s count.
NagagiStep forwardsStep forwards when performing the exercise.
DuruogiStep backwardsStep backwards when performing the exercise.
Dwiro DoraTurn aroundTurn around 180 degrees.
OrunRightAs in right side.
WenLeftAs in left side.
UroStepping to the rightStep to the right when performing the exercise.
JaroStepping to the leftStep to the left when performing the exercise.
Gujari DolgiSpot turnTurn around 180 degrees on the spot.
Gujari GissoolSpot techniquePerform the technique on the spot, without moving forwards or backwards.
Chigya BanClockwiseTurn in a clockwise direction.
Chigya-bandae BanAnti-clockwiseTurn in an anti-clockwise direction.
DongjakMotionAs in fast motion, continuous motion etc.
Barun DongjakFast motionTechniques in quick succession on one count with half a sine-wave in between; a separate exhalation on each.
Neurin DongjakSlow motionTechniques performed in a slow and controlled manner.
Eeojin DongjakConnecting motionTechniques on one count, with only one breath and one sine-wave.
Yonsok DongjakContinuous motionTechniques on one count, with one sine-wave per technique and one controlled breath.
Gaesok DongjakConsecutive motionTwo or more techniques performed with the same hand or foot.
OhnmomFull-facingThe body is full-facing the opponent.
BahnmomHalf-facingThe body is half-facing the opponent.
YopmomSide-facingThe body is side-facing the opponent.
Bal PakwaSwitch stanceChange from a left stance to a right stance or vice versa.

Competition terminology

KoreanEnglishUsage
Ju UiWarningIssued when a minor offence is committed.
Gam JumFoulIssued when a major offence is committed.
Sil KyukDisqualifiedMay occur after an extremely serious offence.
Jung JiStop the timeUsed by the referee to stop the time.
HongRedUsed to call the red competitor.
Ch’ongBlueUsed to call the blue competitor.
SungWinnerWhen stating the colour of the winner, as in “red winner”.
Hong SungRed winnerIndicates red is the winner.
Ch’ong SungBlue winnerIndicates blue is the winner.

Belt colours

KoreanEnglish
Hayan TiWhite belt
Noran TiYellow belt
Nok TiGreen belt
Ch’ong TiBlue belt
Hong TiRed belt
Komun TiBlack belt

Numbers

KoreanNumberKoreanNumber
Hana1Yolhana11
Dool2Yoldool12
Set3Yolset13
Net4Yolnet14
Tasot5Yoltasot15
Yosot6Yolyosot16
Ilgop7Yolilgop17
Yodol8Yolyodol18
Ahop9Yolahop19
Yol10Samul20
Sorun30Yesun60
Mahun40Irrun70
Chiun50Yodun80
Ahun90Pek100

Miscellaneous

KoreanEnglish
DojangTraining hall
DobokTraining suit (white uniform)
Dobok DanshunAdjust training suit
TiBelt
Sun BaeSenior student
SabumHead instructor
Bo SabumAssistant instructor
Jappyosol TaeRelease from a grab

Lines and levels of the body

KoreanEnglish
NopundeHigh (shoulder level and above)
KaundeMiddle (from waist level to shoulder level)
NajundeLow (waist level and below)
Myongchi SonSolar plexus (centre) line
Kasum SonChest line
Eukke SonShoulder line
SonLine (vertical line of the body, as in shoulder line / chest line)

Parts of the body

KoreanEnglish
Ap JoomukForefist
Dung JoomukBackfist
Yop JoomukSide fist
Joongi JoomukMiddle knuckle fist
Inji JoomukFore knuckle fist
Pyon JoomukOpen fist
Ghin JoomukLong fist
Mit JoomukUnder fist
SonkalKnifehand
Sonkal DungReverse knifehand
SonbadakPalm
SondungBackhand
SonkutFingertip
Han SongarakForefinger
Doo SongarakDouble finger
PalkupElbow
BandalsonArc-hand
PalmokForearm
An PalmokInner forearm
Bakat PalmokOuter forearm
MoorupKnee
BalkalFoot sword
Balkal DungReverse foot sword
Ap KumchiBall of foot (front sole)
DwitchookBack heel
DwitkumchiBack sole
BaldungInstep
BalkutToes