Why learn Korean terminology? Why not just use your own county’s translation of the terminology?

Part of the attraction people have with the martial arts is learning a part of the culture of the home country of the martial art. People are fascinated with things that are different from those in their ordinary lives. In addition, when all the practitioners of a martial art use a common terminology, it makes communication easier during international events or when training in foreign counties or with foreign instructors. I once trained at a Judo club in Iceland that had a visiting Japanese instructor. I did not speak Icelandic. Neither the Icelandic’s nor I could speak Japanese and the instructor could not speak Icelandic or English. However, since we all used the same Japanese Judo terminology, the classes went smoothly.

Since the Korean language is written using "Hangul" and not the Roman alphabet, the English translations presented here are approximate Romanizations.

For some audio clips of Korean pronunciations, check out this link.

For information on reading, writings, and speaking the Korean alphabet, check out Hangul School.

Click a link to expand or collapse

• Numbers & Counting
  • 1: Ha-na
  • 2: Tul
  • 3: Set
  • 4 Net
  • 5: Da-sot
  • 6: Yo-sot
  • 7: Il-gop
  • 8: Yeo-dul
  • 9: A-hop
  • 10: Yeol
  • 11: Yeol Hanna
  • 12: Yeol Tul
  • 13: Yeol Set
  • Etc.
  • 20: Su-mul
  • 21: Su-mul hanna
  • 22: Su-mul tul
  • Etc.
  • 30: So-run
  • 31: So-run hanna
  • 32: So-run tul
  • Etc.
  • 40: Ma-hun
  • 41: Ma-hun hanna
  • 42: Ma-hun tul
  • Etc.
  • 50: Schwin
  • 51: Schwin hanna
  • 52: Schwin tul
  • Etc.
  • 60: Yeh-sun
  • 61: Yeh-sun hanna
  • 62: Yeh-sun tul
  • Etc.
  • 70: Ihr-run
  • 71: Ihr-run hanna
  • 72: Ihr-run tul
  • Etc.
  • 80: Yowh-dun
  • 81: Yowh-dun hanna
  • 82: Yowh-dun tul
  • Etc.
  • 90: A-hun
  • 91: A-hun hanna
  • 92: A-hun tul
  • Etc.
  • 100: Paek
  • 101: Paek hanna
  • 102: Paek tul
  • Etc.
  • 1st: Il
  • 2nd: Ee
  • 3rd: Sum
  • 4th: Sah
  • 5th: Oh
  • 6th: Yook
  • 7th: Ch'ill
  • 8th: P'al
  • 9th: Ku
  • 10th: Sip
  • 11th: Sip Il
  • Etc.
  • 20th: Ee-sip
  • 21st: Ee-sip il
  • Etc.
  • 30th: Sam-sip
  • 31st: Sam-sip il
  • Etc.
  • 40th: Sah-sip
  • 50th: Oh-sip
  • 60th: Yook-sip
  • 70th: Chil-sip
  • 80th: Pal-sip
  • 90th: Koo-sip
  • 100th: Il-bak
• Disciplines
  • Forms: Poomse/Hyung/Tul
  • Self-Defense: Hosinsul
  • Sparring: Gyorugi
  • Breaking: Gyu-pky
• Tenets
  • Courtesy: Ye- ui
  • Integrity: Yom-chi
  • Perseverance: In- nae
  • Self-Control: Kuk Gi
  • Indomitable Spirit: Baek-jool
• Directions
  • Left: Wen
  • Right: Oh-reun
  • Front: Ahp
  • Back: Dwi
  • High: Napunde
  • Low: Najunde
  • Inner: An
  • Outer: Bakat
  • Inward: Anuro
  • Outward: Bakuro
  • High (head area): Sang Dan
  • Middle (body area): Joong Dan
  • Low (below belt): Ha Dan
  • Middle: Kaunde
  • Reverse: Bandae
  • Obverse: Baro
• Parts of the Body
  • Abdomen: Dan Jun
  • Ankle: Baal Mahk
  • Arm: Pahl
  • Ball of Foot: Apchook
  • Body: Mom
  • Body (upper): Eolgool
  • Body (middle): Momtong
  • Body (lower): Ahre
  • Chin: Tuck
  • Ear: Qui
  • Elbow: Pal Koup
  • Eye: Noon
  • Face: Olgul
  • Finger: Sonkahrak
  • Finger, Tip: Sonkut
  • Finger, Tip Flat: Opun Sonkut
  • Fist: Jumeok
  • Foot: Baal
  • Arch: Baal Bong Oh Ri
  • Footsword: Baal Kal
  • Instep: Baal Dung
  • Outside Edge: Baal Naal
  • Inside Edge: An Baal Naal
  • Ball: Baal Badak
  • Sole: Ahp Chook
  • Heel: Dwi Koomchi
  • Bottom of Heel: Dwi Chook
  • Toes: Baal Kuet
  • Forearm: Palmok
  • Inner Side: Ahn Palmok
  • Outer Side: Bahkat Palmok
  • Palm Side: Meet Palmok
  • Back Side: Wi Palmok
  • Back: Deung Palmok
  • Fore-Fist: Ap Joomuk
  • Forehead: Ee Ma
  • Groin: Nulro
  • Hand: Son
  • Outside Edge: ( knifehand): Son Nal
  • Inside Edge: ( ridgehand): Son Kal Dueng
  • Back: Son Dueng
  • Head: Mo-li
  • Hip:
  • Joint: Kwanjeol
  • Knee: Murupp
  • Leg: Dari
  • Mouth: Eep
  • Neck: Mok
  • Nose: Ko
  • Palm: Batangson
  • Philtrum: In Joong
  • Shin: Ahp Jung Jang Yi
  • Shoulder: Ouka
  • Solar Plexus: Myung Chi
  • Spear Hand: Pyonsonkkeut
  • Throat: Mokoomeong
  • Waist: Hur Ri
  • Back Heel: Dwichook
  • Wrist: Sonmok
• Commands
  • Attention: Char-yot
  • Bow: Kyong-nae
  • When bowing to senior, say: Sun bae nim ke kyung nae
  • When bowing to master, say: Sa bum nim ke kyung nae
  • Bow to Flag: Kukiyeh, Kyung nae
  • Ready: Choom-bi
  • Begin: Shi-jak
  • Break: Kalryo
  • Continue: Kyesok
  • Stop: Goman
  • Return: Bah ro
  • Relax/At Ease: Shiuh
  • Left-Right Face: Chwa-u Hyang-u
  • Turn Around: Dolra
  • About Face: Dwi ro dorah
  • Foot Switch: Bahl bah kwah
  • Sit: Chak Suk
  • Class Dismissed: E-sahn
• Blocks
  • Block: Mahki
  • High Block: Eolgool Mahki
  • Low Block: Ahrae Mahki
  • Middle Block: Momtong Mahki
  • Inward Block: Ahnuro Mahki
  • Outward Block: Bahkuro Mahki
  • Scissors Block: Gawi Mahki
  • Diamond-Shaped  Block: Keumgang Mahki
  • X-Shaped Block: Yeot Pero Mahki
  • Twisting Block: Bituro Mahki
  • Knife Hand Block: (inside to outside): Son-nal-bakat Mahki
  • Low Knife Hand Block: Soo Do Ha Dn Bang Uh
  • High Knife Hand Block: Soo Do Sang Dn Bang Uh
  • Inside/Outside Block: Aneh Seh Bake Ro Mahki
  • Outside/Inside Block: Bakeh Seh Aneh Ro Mahki
  • Double Middle Block: SangSo Joong Dan Mahki
  • Four Direction Block: Saju Mahki
  • Braced Block: Geodeureo Mahki
  • Outside Block: Bakat Mahki
  • Rising Block: Chookyo Mahki
  • Inside Block: An Mahki
• Kicks
  • Kick: Chagi
  • Jumping: E-Dan
  • Front Kick: Ap Chagi
  • Jump Front Kick: E-Dan Ap Chagi
  • Flying Front Kick: Yi Dan Ap Chagi
  • High Front Snap Kick: Sang Dan Ap Chagi
  • Middle Front Snap Kick: Joong Dan Ap Chagi
  • Side Kick: Yop Chagi
  • Jump Side Kick: E-Dan Yup Chagi
  • Flying Side Kick: Yi Dan Yup Chagi
  • Back Spin Kick: Dwi Dull Ryo Chagi
  • Side Snap Kick: Yup Podo Chagi
  • Back Pivot Side Kick: Dwi Dolah Chagi
  • Roundhouse Kick: Dolgo Chagi
  • Jump Roundhouse Kick: E-Dan Dolga Chagi
  • Back Kick: Dwi Chagi
  • Jump Back Kick: E-Dan Dwi Chagi
  • Axe Kick: Nehryuh  Chagi
  • Spinning Hook Kick: Dwi Dol Yeo Chagi
  • Hook Kick: Yup Hu Chagi
  • Side Piercing Kick: Youcha Jirugi Chagi
  • Rising Kick: Cha Olligi Chagi
  • Stamping Kick
  • Twisting Kick: Bituro Chagi
  • Turning Kick: Dollyo Chagi
  • Vertical Kick: Sewo Chagi
  • Downward Kick: Naeryo Chagi
  • Reverse Turing Kick: Bandae Dollyo Chagi
  • Reverse Hooking Kick: Bande Dollyo Goro Chagi
  • Front Snap Kick: Apcha Busigi Chagi
  • Back Snap Kick: Dwitcha Busigi Chagi
  • Back Piercing Kick: Dwi Jirugi Chagi
  • Crescent Kick: Bahndall Chagi
  • Inside to Outside Crescent Kick: Ahneso Phaku Ro Chagi
  • Outside to Inside Crescent Kick: Phakeso Ahnuro Chagi
• Stances
  • Stance: Sohgi
  • Front Stance: Ahp Sohgi
  • Back Stance: Dwi Sohgi
  • Walking Stance: Kuht Neun Sohgi
  • Horseback Riding Stance: Juchum Sohgi
  • Fighting Stance: Mot Sohgi
  • Sparring Stance: Kyorugi Sohgi
  • Ready Stance: Choom Bi Sohgi
  • Kicking Stance: Chagi Sohgi
  • L-Stance: Niunja Sohgi
  • Back Stance: Dwitkubi Sohgi
  • Tiger stance: Born Sohgi
  • Twisted Stance: Koa Sohgi
  • Walking Stance: Gunnun Sohgi
  • X Stance: Kyocha Sohgi
  • Vertical Stance: Soo Jik Sohgi
  • Fixed Stance: Gojung SoSohgigi
  • Parallel Ready Stance: Naranhi-sohgi
  • Rear Foot Stance: Dwit Bal Sohgi
  • Sitting Stance: Annun Sohgi
  • Close Ready Stance: Mao Junbi Sohgi
  • Closed Stance: Moa Sohgi
  • Bending Stance: Guburyo Sohgi
  • Cat Stance: Jookul Sohgi
  • Crane Stance: Hakdari Sohgi
• Punches
  • Punch: Chirugi
  • High Punch: Eolgool Chirugi
  • Middle Punch: Momtung Chirugi
  • Low Punch: Ahrae Chirugi
  • Reverse Punch: Bahn Dae Chirugi
  • Double Punch: Doo Bun 
  • Four Direction Punch: Saju Chirugi
  • Triple Punch: Sae Bun Chirugi
  • Punch to Body: Sonnal mok Chirugi
  • Knife Hand Punch: Yak Gin Chirugi
  • Lunge Punch: Junzuki Chirugi
  • Middle Punch: Joong Dan Chirugi
  • Palm Heel: Jang Kwon
  • Ridge Hand: Yuk Soo
  • Double Punch: Doobeon Chirugi
  • Spear Hand: Kwan Soo
  • Back Fist: Kap Kwon
  • Spear Fingers: Pyeonsonkoot Chirugi
  • Fist: Jung Kwon
  • Thrust: Tulgi
  • Strike: Taerig
  • Scissors-Shaped Spear Finger Thrust: Gawi Sahnkeut
• Sparring
  • Step-Sparring: Daeryon
  • One-Step Sparring: Il Soo Sik Daeryon
  • Free Sparring: Ja Yoo Daeryon
  • Blue: Chung
  • Red: Hong
  • Point: Jeum
  • Out of Bounds: Keum Bahk
  • Warning: Kyong Hana
  • One Warning: Kyong-go Hana
  • Point Deduction: Gam Jeum
  • Penalty Point: Kam-Jom-Hana
  • Disqualification: Shil Kyuk
  • Win: Seung
  • Tie: Bi Kim
  • Round: Jeon
  • First Round: Il Weh-jeon
  • Second Round: Yi Weh-jeon
  • Third Round: Sam Weh-jeon
  • Injury: Boo Sang
  • Stop: Ku-man
  • Separate/Pause: Kal-lyo
  • Continue: Kae-sok
  • Turn: Jwa-u Hyang-u
  • Return To Position: Won-wi-chi
  • Referee: Joo Sim
  • Judge: Bu Sim
• Rank
  • Rank: Kagup
  • Grade (color belts): Gup
  • Degree (senior black belts): Dan
  • Degree (junior black belts): Poom
  • Grandmaster: Kwan Jang Nim
  • Chief Instructor: Chung Sah Nim
  • Master: Sabum Nim
  • Instructor: Sabum
  • Assistant Instructor: Jo Kyo Nim
  • Senior Student: Sun Bae Nim
  • Kings, teachers, master, and fathers are of the same mind and body: Koon sa boo il che
  • Student: Yoo Kup Jar
  • Black Belt Holder: Yoo Dan Ja
  • Student: Hak Saeng
• Equipment & Uniform
  • Uniform: Dobok
  • Belt: Dhee
  • Chest Protector: Hogoo
  • Groin Cup: Nang Shim Bohodae
  • Head Gear: Muh Ree Bohodae
  • Mouth Guard: Eep Bohodae
  • Shin Guard: Jung Kang Yi Bohodae
• Miscellaneous
  • Fundamental Practice: Kibon dongjak
  • Freeing Techniques: Paegi
  • Attack with Hand: Chigi
  • Meditation: Mokium
  • Sit: Honcho
  • Equilibrium: Kyun Hyung
  • Attack: Gong Gyuck
  • Speed: Sokdo
  • Mass: Zilyang
  • Defense: Bang-o
  • Four-direction Movement: Sajoe
  • Straighten: Tonsinique
  • Stabbing: Chireugi
  • Gymnasium: Dojang
  • School: Kwan
  • Yell: Ki-yup
  • Yes: Ye
  • No: Anio
  • Flag: Cook Ki
  • Forms: Poomse/Hyung
  • Meditation: Mukyum
  • Breathing: Ho Hyoop
  • Force/Power: Himm
  • Life Energy: Ki
  • Stretch: Cha Olligi
  • Push: Mil A Chagi
  • Sitting: Annun
  • Walking: Gunnun
  • Breathing Control: Shim Ho Hyoop
  • Breaking: Kyuk Pa
  • Demonstration: Shibum
  • Stretching: Pyugi
  • Forging Bag: Dallyon Bag
  • Forging Post: Dallyon Joo
  • Pants: Ha-l
  • Push Up: Momtong Bachim
  • Meditate: Mooknyum
  • Shirt: Sang-l
  • Board Holder: Gyopa Tul
  • Side Leg Stretching: Yup Podo Ole Ri Gi
  • Side Attack: Joon Dan Haeng Gin
  • Main School(Headquarters): Joong Ang Do Jang
  • Breaking: Kyuk Pa
  • Front Leg Stretching: Aup Podo Ole Ri Gi
  • Focus: Kime
  • Branch School: Ji Kwan
  • Speed Control: Wan Gup
  • Basic Forms: Ki Cho Hyung
  • Attack: Kyong Kyuk
  • Release From Grab: Jappyosul Tae
  • Defense against a Knife Attack: Dae Dando
• Common Phrases
  • Thank You: Kahm Sa Hamnida
  • Respect Elders, Love Juniors: Sang Kyeong Ha Ye
  • How are you?: Ahnyong Hasimnika
  • Nice to Meet You: Pangap Seumnida
  • See You Later: Toh Poepkeseoyo
  • Welcome: Eoseo Osayo
  • I'm Sorry: Choesong Hamnida
  • Excuse Me: Shillye Hamnida
  • That's All Right: Kwaen Chanayo
  • One Strike Must Kill!: Il Sok Pil Sai
  • Faith in Certain Victory: Pilsung