“Charyeot” “Kyeongrye” Wait, what!
Why is everyone bowing down? Well, I don’t want to look like an idiot and I will also bow down!
We have all been there!
Who can blame us if our mother tongue is not Korean? If you have ever felt curious about what your Taekwondo instructor’s commands are, we will dive deep into each Taekwondo command that you will come across in your Taekwondo Journey.
Korean Taekwondo Commands
Commands in Taekwondo are carried out in the Korean Language.
Which Dojang you train in Taekwondo will determine how frequently Korean taekwondo commands are used.
Without even realizing you will soon understand Taekwondo commands in Korean, the more Taekwondo CLASSES YOU ATTEND.
First, let’s get your burning questions out of the way.
How do you pronounce Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is pronounced Tae Gwon Doh.
What Is A Taekwondo School Called?
A taekwondo school is called dojang.
What Is A Taekwondo Student Called?
A Taekwondo student is called Sonbae (pronounced Son beh), and a senior student is called Sonbaenim (pronounced son bah neem).
Taekwondo students are sometimes also called Jeja (pronounced Jey jah)
What is Taekwondo Instructor Called?
A Taekwondo instructor is called Sabom (pronounced Sah bom)
How Do You Say Master In Korean Taekwondo?
What do you call your teacher in Taekwondo could be easily one of the most useful and essential terms to learn for your Taekwondo class. Taekwondo Master is called Kwanjang (pronounced Kwahn jahng)
Counting Numbers in Taekwondo
In almost all Taekwondo classes, an instructor will count in Korean.
One – Hana
Two – Dul
Three – Set
Four – Net
Five – Dasot
Six – Yasot
Seven – Elgub
Eight – Yodol
Nine – Ahob
Ten – Yol
Taekwondo Dojo Commands
Your Taekwondo Instructor will most likely give Korean commands during your sessions, which could be confusing at first.
Who does not it is an entirely foreign language to you UNLESS YOU lived in Korea.
Two commands you will hear a lot in your class is Attention (CHA RYUTHT) and Bow (KYUNGE NAE).
You soon will be following the orders without even realizing it.
If you are new and not sure, follow senior students ahead of you 🙂
Attention – Cha Ryutht
Bow – Kyunge Nae
Line Up – Jong Lee
Ready – Choon Bi
Begin – Seijak
Stop – Gomahn
Break – Kalyeo
Sit – Ahnjoe
Sit In Yoga Posture – Bah Ro Angi
Kneel – Kool O Angi
Switch Your Stance / Switch Feet – Bahl Bah Kwah
Relax – Shiuh
Continue – Kae Sok
In Your Own Time – Koo Ryng Op See
Fix Your Belt – Dhee Dahnjung
Fix Your Uniform – Dobok Dahnjung
Turn – Dorah
Return to Starting Position – Bah Ro
Stand – Elosoh
Face Taekwondo Master – Sah Bum Nim Keh
Face Senior Student – Sun Bae Nim Keh
Face Each Other – Jwa Woo Hyang Woo
Face The Flag – Geuk Gi Hyang Ha Yoh
Class Dismissed – Hai Sahn
Taekwondo Stances Commands
Following are lists of commands you may not need to understand as a white belt necessarily.
However, you should understand more Taekwondo Stance Commands as you move up to senior ranks and beyond.
Stance – Sohgi sometimes also called Jah Seh, which means posture
Stance – Sogi
Ready Stance – Pyong Hi Sogi
Kicking Stance – Shagi Sogi
Fighting Stance – Mot Sogi
Sparring Stance – Kyorugi Sogi
Neutral Stance – Joong-rib Sogi
Natural Stance – Cha Yun Sogi
L Stance – Niun Ja Sogi
Back Stance – Dwi Gibi Sogi
Walking Stance – Kuht Neun Sogi
Basic Stance – Gibon sogi
Parallel Stance – Naranhee Sohgi
Front Stance – Ahb Gubi Sogi
Frong Bent Knee Stance – Aph Koo Bi Sogi
Close Stance – Mo Ah Sogi
Crossed Foot Stance – Koh Ah Sogi
Dynamic Stance – Dong Yuk Sogi
Sitting Stance – Ahnjun Spgi
Horse Stance – Juchoom Sogi
Twisted Stance – Poom Sogi
Tiger or Cat Stance – Beonm Sogi
Dynamic Stance – Dong Yuk Sogi
Diagonal Stance – Sa Sun Sogi
Taekwondo Kicks Commands
Taekwondo is known for a variety of kicks.
Being able to execute beautiful kicks is what you came to learn, right?
Here are the names for these stunning, powerful kicks:
Front Kick – Ap Chagi
Round House Kick (Turning Kick) – Dollyo Chagi
Side Kick – Yeop Chagi
Back Kick – Dwi Chagi
Axe Kick – Naeryeo Chagi
Hook Kick – Guligi Chagi
Reverse Round Kick – Bahndae Dolrya Chagi
Spinning Hook Kick – Dwi Huryeo Chagi
Tornado Kick – Dol Gae Chagi
Swing Kick – Naeryeo Chagi
Holding Kick – Japgo Chagi
Jumping Kick – Twi O Cha Gi
Jumping Front Kick – Eedan Ap Chagi
Scissor Kick – Kawi Chagi
Linear Kick – Illja Chagi
Thursting Kick – Jillo Chagi
Rolling Kick – Goollruh Chagi
Knee Strike – Moreup Chigi
Crescent Kick – Bandall Chagi
Combination/Consecutive Kick – Yung Seuk Chagi
Push Kick – Meereo Chagi
Stretching Kick – Cha Olligi
Hopping Kick – Natgeh Tdwim Yu Chagi
Swing Kick – Beakya Chagi
Stooping Kick – Nachu Oh Chagi
Jumping Kick – Tdwim Yah Chagi
Sliding Kick – Meekulmyu Chagi
Falling Kick/Leg Sweep – Ohpo Chagi
Flying Kick – Nalla Chagi
Taekwondo Punches Commands
We very rarely see punches used in Taekwondo competitions, but they are a vital part of Taekwondo.
Knuckle Fist Punch – Me Joomock Chi Gi
Hammer Fist Punch – Me Joomok Chi Gi
Hook Punch – Guligi Chi Gi
Double Punch – Doo Bun Chi Gi
Triple Punch – Sae Bun Chi Gi
Combination Punch – Yung Seuk Chi Gi
Palm Strike – Ba Tang Son Tuck Chi Gi
Downward Punch – Nehryuk Chi Gi
Knife Hand Punch – Sob Nal Chi Gi
Double Knife Hand Strike – Doo Son Nal Mok Chi Gi
Double Fist Punch – Doo Joomuk Chi Gi
Elbow Punch – Palkoop Chi Gi
Spear Fingers Punch – Son Nal Dung Chi Gi
Reverse Puch – Bahndae Chi Gi
Back Fist Punch – Dung Joomok Chi Gi
Taekwondo Blocks Commands
We see Taekwondo in the Olympics and World Taekwondo Championships.
Sometimes, it is easy to forget the traditional art perspective of Taekwondo.
Taekwondo Blocks are essential for you to learn for your belt exam.
Assuming you want to get Taekwondo Black Belt soon in the distant future, the blocks’ learning name will serve you a long time in your Taekwondo Journey.
Block – Maggi
Down Block – Ahrae Maggi
Middle Block -Momtong Maggi
Rising Block – Cho Kyo Maggi
Inward Block – Ahnuro Mahki
Outside Block – Bahkuro Maggi
Palm Block – Ba Tang Son Maggi
Knife Hand Block – Son Nal Maggi
Double Knife Hand Block – Du Son Nal Kuh Dul A Maggi
Double Hand Block – Du Son Kuh Dul A Maggi
X Block – Yeot Pero Maggi
Twisting Block – Bituro Maggi
Spreading Block – Hecho Maggi
Scattered Block/Wedge Block – Hechuh Maggi
Diamond Shaped Block – Keumgang Maggi
Twin Block – Sahng Palmahk Maggi
Guarding Block – Daebi Mahki
Taekwondo Directions Commands
Directions commands were quite confusing for me as a beginner.
Truth be told, I still don’t know many by heart shhh… For Patterns, I just memoried the sequence rather than the name of directions.
Especially if you are a beginner it may be too many things to remember the name of direction as well as remember to block, kick or punch during your pattern.
However, you can make effort from the beginning to start learning the names of the direction.
Front – Aph
Back – Dwi
Reverse – Bahndae
Right – OO
Left – Joa
Low Section – Ahrae
Middle Section – Momtong
High Section – Ulgool
Inner – Ahn
Outer – Bahkat
Inward – Ahnuro
Outward – Bahkuru
Middle – Guande
High – Whee
Upward – Whee Uro
Taekwondo Hand Positions Commands
Your Dojang may not require you to remember the name of the hand position commands.
If you can say hand position commands in Korean your Taekonwdo master can’t help but will surely get impressed!
First – Joomok
Side Fist – Yup Joomuk
Back Fist – Deung Joomuk
Hammer Fist – Me Joomuk
Two Kunckle Fist – Doo Bam Joomuk
Thumb Kuckle Fist – Omji Joomuk
Fore Finger One Knuckle Fist – Inju Joomuuk
Knife Hand – Sahnkal
Knife Hand With Palm Up – Sahnkal Jecho
Back Hand – Sahn Deung or Deung Sahn
Open Fist – Pyun Joomuk
Spear Finger – Sahnkeut
Scissors Shaped Spear Fingers – Gawi Sahnkeut
Pincers Hand – Jipke Sahn
Ripping Hand – Galkwi Sahn
Arc Hand – Ah Keum Sahn
Palm Heel – Sahn Bahtong
WTF Taekwondo Refree Commands/ Korean Taekwondo Sparring Commands
For some people, Taekwondo could be a means of keeping fit.
However, you may want to compete at the Olympics or represent your country in National or International competitions where understanding Taekwondo Referee Commands are important.
Here are the Korean Taekwondo Sparring Commands you need to understand from Referee during your competition.
Blue – Chung
Red- Hong
Attention – Charyut
Start – Sijak
Stop – Kalyo
Warning – Kyong Go
Point – Jeum
Point Deduction – Gam Jeum
Out of Bounds – Keum Bahk
Disqualification – Shil Kyuk
Time Out – Shi Gan
Round – Jeon
Injury – Boo Sang
Tie – Bi Kim
Win – Seung
White – Hin
Dodge a technique through the use of footwork – Jajun Bahl/Nachugi
Match – Shihap
Chest Protector – Hogoo
Shin Guard – Jung Kang Yi Bohodae
Groin Cup – Nang Shim Bohodae
Protective Gloves – Sahn Boho Jang Kapa
Mouthguard – Eep Bohodae
Protective Head Gear – Muh Ree Bohodae
Forearm Guard – Pahlmahk Bohodae
Taekwondo Grading (Belt Test) Commands
Every grandmaster had to go through the Taekwondo Grading test.
If you are a junior belt in Taekwondo, your Taekwondo master may not be TOO HARSH if you forget some commands.
However, knowing the following commands will help you become more confident in your Taekwondo Test (here is what to if your fail your Taekwondo Test).
As Junior Grade in Taekwondo (Yellow belt with a green stripe or below) or 7th Kup…
..YOU are required to understand Taekwondo commands of at least necessary punch, kicks, block, and basic taekwondo terms like Attention (Cha Ryuht), Bow (Kyung Nae), start (Sijak) among other things.
Patterns – Tul
Taekwondo Uniform – Dobok
Four Direction – Sa Bang Hyang
In Your Own Time – Koo Ryng Op See
Belt – Dhee
Face Taekwondo Master – Sah Bum Nim Keh
Face Senior Student – Sun Bae Nim Keh
Face Each Other – Jwa Woo Hyang Woo
Face The Flag – Geuk Gi Hyang Ha Yoh
Face Taekwondo Examiner – Simsa Kwan Nim Keh
Taekwodo Pattern 1 – Taegeuk Il Jang
Taekwodo Pattern 2 – Taegeuk Ee Jang
Taekwodo Pattern 3 – Taegeuk Sam Jang
Taekwodo Pattern 4 – Taegeuk Sa Jang
Taekwodo Pattern 5- Taegeuk Oh Jang
Taekwodo Pattern 6 – Taegeuk Yuk Jang
Taekwodo Pattern 7 – Taekeuk Chil Jang
Taekwodo Pattern 8 – Taegeuk Pal Jang
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 1 – Koryo
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 2 – Keumgang
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 3 – Taebaek
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 4 – Pyongwon
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 5 – Shipjin
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 6 – Jitae
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 7 – Cheonkwon
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 8 – Hansu
Taekwodo Black Belt Pattern 9 – Ilyo
For your Patterns/Forms revision this video series is a great resource I found helpful with my patterns revision.
Please bear in mind this is WTF Patterns and not ITF which may have slight variations.
If you are confused, ask your Taekwondo Master.
ITF Patterns here are an excellent series of Patterns.
Important Taekwondo Words and Commands
Besides the names of Kicks and Punches, Taekwondo, like every Material arts, is all about respecting the art and people you train with.
We want to respect our officials, teachers, and call them with respectful names.
Grandmaster – Kwang Jang Nim
Judge – Bu Sim
Referee – Joo Sim
Time Keeper – Kae Sim
Recorder – Ki Rohk
Pupil – Jeja
Grade – Gup
Senior Student – Sun Bae Nim
Junior Student – Hu Bae Nim
Taekwondo Master/ Instructor – Sah Bum Nim
Chief Master/ Instructor – Chung Sah Nim
Founder Of The Art – Do Joo Nim
Rank – Kagup
Degree – Dan
Basic Taekwondo Commands
Every Dojang is different where your Taekwondo Master may focus more on meditation, for example, or defensive fighting techniques.
Depending on your dojang, your Taekwondo instructor may use different Korean words during your lessons to give you commands. Here is a list of popular Korean commands you may find useful to learn:
Meditation – Mukyum
Breathing – Ho Hyoop
Stretching – Pyugi
Yell – Kihap
Focus – Chojum
Power or Force – Himm
Self Defense – Hosinsool
Offense – Gong Kyok
The Right Way – Jung Do
Other Taekwondo Commands
Most Western Taekwondo Dojang will not use these commands in classes. However, it is excellent to know these words for your development in Taekwondo.
Korean culture is polite and humble. It is never a bad idea to respect your seniors and juniors in your class by learning kind words.
Respect – Jon Gyung
Innovation/Determination/Courage: BaekJoon
Thank You – Kahm Sa Hamnida
Integrity – Yom Chi
Honesty – Jung Jhik
Courtesy – Ye Ui
Self-control – Kuk Gi
Loyalty – Choong Sung
Perseverance – In Nae
Mental Strength – Jung Shin Yuk
Mind and Body Discipline – Sim Shin Dahn Ryun
Yes – Ye
No – Anio
Congratulations – Cheuk Ka Hamnida
I understand – Ahlge Seoyo
I don’t Understand – Moreuge Seoyo
Welcome – Eoseo Osayo
Excuse Me – Shillye Hamnida
Pleased To Meet You – Pangap Seunida
Hello – Yobeseyo
See You Later – Toh Poepkeseoyo
Family – Kahjok
