The purpose of Taekwon-Do terminology is to provide a common language for all Taekwon-Doin regardless of their country of origin and/or native language globally.
The structure for naming a vast majority of techniques follow a simple pattern & therefore it is possible for a non native Korean speaker to master.
Here is the formula
<stance name> + <tool name> + <middle/low/high/rising etc.> + <side/front/rear etc.> + <block/pierce/strike/thrust etc.>
An example will illustrate how the formula works:
L-stance + Inner forearm + middle + side + block = L-stance inner forearm middle side block
Notice that the above example followed the formula directly section by section.
Go back & look at it again – clearly identify the sections.
Once you understand how to construct the full naming of the technique in it’s complete form in English it is a simple step to convert this same structure directly using Korean words plugged into the exact same sections.
Niunja so + an palmok + kaunde + yop + makgi = Niunja so anpalmok kaunde yop makgi
Another example:
walking stance + outer forearm + rising + <t is not incorrect to omit the <side/front etc.> section on some techniques> + block = walking stance outer forearm rising block
gunnun so + bakat palmok + chookyo + makgi = gunnun so bakat palmok chookyo makgi
As you can see after memorizing & practicing the order/formula above, all you need to learn are the words for the each section & plug them in. Here are some to get you started:
<stance name>
parallel stance – narani sogi (so) …. * in sentence construction ‘sogi’ is often shortened to ‘so’, much as we do in any other language in practical use
walking stance – gunnun sogi (so)
L-stance – niunja sogi (so)
sitting stance – annun sogi (so)
… plus many more
<tool name>
inner forearm – anpalmok
outer forearm – bakat palmok
knife hand – sonkal
reverse knife hand – sonkal dung
forefist – ap joomuk
back fist – dung joomuk *notice the slight difference between this reverse knifehand/knifehand
…. plus many more
<middle/low/high/rising etc.>
middle – kaunde
low – najunde
high – nopunde
rising – chookyo
… plus many more
<side/front/rear etc.>
side – yop
front – ap
dwit – rear
… plus more
<block/pierce/strike/thrust etc.>
block – makgi
jirugi – punch/pierce
strike – taerigi
thrust – tulgi
… plus many more
Kicking examples are much simpler. Follow along below …
ap (front) + cha (short for chagi meaning ‘kick’) + busigi (snap) = ap cha busigi, ‘front kick snap’ is a little awkward in English, therefore it becomes ‘front snap kick’ in usage.
yop (side) + cha + jirugi = yop cha jirugi, or ‘side piercing kick’
dwit (back) + cha + jirugi = dwit cha jirugi, or ‘back piercing kick’
ap (front) + cha + olligi = ap cha olligi, or ‘front rising kick’
naeryo (downward) chagi (kick), or ‘downward kick’
sewo (vertical) chagi (kick), or ‘vertical kick’
… plus many more
** Most importantly here are the keys to success:
1) Be patient & never criticize yourself during the learning process. No one started any serious study of a Martial Art with thoughts of learning terminology foremost in their minds. It is introduced along the way in a steady stream & repeated often by your Instructor in every class.
2) Practice makes perfect, without judgement experiment with the sentences by dissecting them & seeing how they are constructed in understandable sections. Once dissected they are not intimidating. As with everything else, it requires time & practice.
3) There are a few exceptions – but do not let those baffle you. Work on the simpler ones to first gain confidence. Once you have confidence the inevitable exceptions will not overwhelm you. The Taekwon-Do Encyclopedia contains the complete Taekwon-Do terminology. Open it & pick up a useful word or two everyday for your rank level technique.
Mr. Taggar
