Terminology
Since Taekwondo is a Korean sport, Learning Korean terminology in class is sometimes met with resistance, and other schools may choose not teach it or lack the knowledge to do so. While we try not to overwhelm students with Korean terms, we do feel that some basic knowledge in Korean terminology and culture is important for several reasons.
Most importantly, it is done out of respect for and to gain an appreciation of the culture.
Additionally, it aids in our martial arts education. Korean terminology is used throughout the Taekwondo class, and understanding the meaning of these words will make participation in class more meaningful. Certain Korean words and phrases communicate descriptions, specific techniques, and ideas better than English words. Instead of saying “Drag the behind leg and kick with the front leg,” it is easier to simply call it a Pa-ruen-bal. In essence, since most all of the descriptions of techniques are probably not familiar to a beginner, one is already learning a new language.
Finally, French and English may be the diplomatic languages, but the diplomatic language of TKD is Korean. A colleague once told a story where he was in a TKD class with a student from Africa, “There was no other common language between us except Korean”. They were able to work out together using fragmented Korean terminology.
Jump to:
Color Belt Terminology
Black Belt Terminology
Color Belt Terminology
White to Yellow Belt
| * What is your goal in Martial Arts? | To be a Black Belt Sir. | |
| *Name of art you are learning: | Tae Kwon Do | |
| Ready | Joon-bee | |
| Horse riding stance | Kee-ma-she | |
| Begin | Shee-jahk | |
Yellow to Orange Belt
| *Thank You | Kam-Sa-Hahm-Ni-Da | |
| Attention | Cha-ree-yut | |
| Let’s go | Ka-ja |
Orange to Light Green Belt
**If you are age 7 and older, you need to demonstrate how to tie your belt in addition to the terminology listed below.
*Count to 8 in Korean:
| *One | Ha-Na | |
| *Two | Dool | |
| *Three | Set | |
| *Four | Net | |
| *Five | Da-Sut | |
| *Six | Yuh-Sut | |
| *Seven | Il-Gop | |
| *Eight | Yuh-Duhl | |
Light Green to Dark Green Belt
| *Stop | Kue-mahn | |
| *Return | Bah-ro | |
| Block | Mak-ki | |
| Both hand low block | Hae-cheo-mak-ki | |
Dark Green to Light Blue Belt
Question: What does DARIMAR mean?
Answer: DARIMAR means to balance your life force, sir.
| *Uniform | Do-bowk | |
| *Training hall | Do-jahng | |
| Turn around | Dwiro-dora | |
Light Blue to Dark Blue Belt
Know the Five Spirits of Taekwondo:
| Courtesy |
| Integrity |
| Perseverance |
| Self-control |
| Indomitable spirit |
Dark Blue to Purple Belt
**If you are of the age 6 or younger, you will need to demonstrate the ability to tie your belt in addition to the terminology listed below:
| Sparring Stance: | Keo-roo-gee | |
| Greeting: | Kyung-yae | |
| Grandmaster: | Sah-boo-nim | |
| Greeting to Grandmaster: | Sah-boo-nim Gae Kyung- yae. | |
Purple to Brown Belt
| Foot technique | Joke-gee | |
| Hand technique | Soo-gee | |
| Form | Poom-se | |
| Switch feet | Pawl-pock-gwuh | |
Brown to Red Belt
| Front kick | Ap-cha-gee | |
| Side kick | Yup-cha-gee | |
| Round house kick | Dol-yo-cha-gee | |
| Back kick | Dweet-cha-gee | |
| Tornados kick | Dol-gae-cha-gee | |
Red to Red/Black I Belt
| Spring | Bom | |
| Summer | Youh-ruem | |
| Fall | Gah-earl | |
| Winter | Ge-wool | |
Red/Black I to Red/Black II Belt
| Breaking technique | Kouk-pa | |
| Arm | Palr | |
| Foot | Balr | |
| Mind & body unification | Chung-shin-tong-il | |
Red/Black II to Black Belt Belt
| Advancing to a black belt is a big honor and requires a bit more than terminology. In order to prepare for your black belt test, please write an essay that is no more than one page long and answer this prompt: ▪What have I gained through my studies with Darimar Martial Arts? |
Black Belt Terminology
Black to Black/white stripe
| 1st degree black belt | IL-Dahn |
| 2nd degree black belt | E-Dahn |
| Black belt | Dahn |
| Color belt | Kup |
| Belt | ^D |
Black/white to Black/yellow stripe
| Yell | Ki-Hap |
| Center of energy | Dan-jun |
| Tournament | Shi-hap |
| Demonstration | Shi-Bum |
Black/yellow to Black/Orange stripe
| Hand | Son |
| Punch | Ji-rue-gee |
| Strike | CHI-gee |
| Knife chop | Son-nalr-CHI-gee |
Black/Orange to Black/ L Green stripe
| Face | Eol-gul |
| Neck | Mok |
| Head | Mo-li |
| Wrist | Son-mock |
| Fist | Joo-mock |
Black/L Green to Black/D Green stripe
| Leg | Da-lee |
| Knee | Moo-rup |
| Forearm | Pal-mock |
| You’re welcome. | Chun-mann-ye-yo. |
Black/D Green to Black/L Blue stripe
| Courtesy | YEA-ow-e |
| Integrity | YUM-chi |
| Perseverance | In-ney |
| Self control | Kuek-gee
(similar to kook-ie) |
| Indomitable spirit | Back-jel-bool-gool |
Black/L Blue to Black/D Blue belt
| Essay:
What does the meaning of your belt to you, and how will you apply it to your everyday life? (less than 1 page) |
Black/D Blue to Black/Purple Belt
| Jumping side kick | DDer-yep-cha-gee |
| Jumping front kick | DDer-ap-cha-gee |
| Go ahead quickly | DDer-gar |
| Jumping back kick | DDer-dwi-cha-gee |
Black/Purple to Black/Brown Belt
| Yes | Ye |
| No | Anio |
| Continue | Kye-sok |
| Relax | She-yo |
Black/Brown to Black/Red
| Nine | A-hob |
| Ten | Yol |
| Twenty | Su-mul |
| Thirty | So-run |
| Forty | Mah-un |
Black/Red to Black Red/Black
| Nice to meet you. | Pan-gap-seum-ni-dah. |
| How Are You | Ahn neong ha shim ni gah |
| Good Bye | Ahn neong hee gey ship shee yo |
2nd Degree Plain black Belt to White belt
| 2nd degree black belt | E-Dahn |
| 3rd degree black belt | Sham-Dahn |
| Black belt | Dahn |
| Color belt | Kup |
| Belt | ^D |
2nd Black White to Yellow belt
| Write your name in Korean. |
2nd Black Yellow to Orange belt
| Turn right | Jar-hyung-jar |
| Turn left | Ooh-hyung-ooh |
| Stop immediately | Jae-jar-ree-e-she |
2nd Black Orange to L Green belt
| You’re welcome! | Cheon-ma-ene-yo. |
| I’m sorry. | Choe-song-ham-ni-dah. |
| That’s all right. | Kwaen- chan-a-yo. |