Tae Kwon Do Terminology and Definitions

My instructor uses a bunch of Korean terms in class, but what do they mean?

I’ve found in my time in Tae Kwon Do that lots of students come in to Tae Kwon Do and are very confused by the number of words that their instructors use. I often catch myself using Tae Kwon Do terminology in my posts and in the classroom. I’m so used to using them that I forget that their not used everyday by everyone. New students often end up asking what I mean when I say certain words. Like, what is “Chariot” mean? And what are “Poomse”? So, here are a list of basic Tae Kwon Do terms that I have commonly heard and/or use in the classroom.

Anyanghaseo/Anyanghassumiga: Hello, how are you?/ Hello, how are you sir/ma’am? (Basically, the second one is more respectful than the other)

Taekwondo-in: A person who does Tae Kwon Do. (It's the proper term, though in my experience many people don't know this, including other black belts)

Poomse: Form (Instructors will also often state what form they want you to preform. Ex. Taeguk Il Jang, Taeguk E Jang, Koryo etc.)

Chariot: Attention

Kyung Ne: Bow

Joon Bi: Ready Stance

Pah Ro: Return to Ready Stance

Sijook: Begin

Jokyonim: Assistant Instructor

Sabumnim: Master Instructor/Head Instructor

Kyosanim: Instructor

Kwanjangim: Grand Master

Angyang-gaseo/Anyang-gaeseo: Goodbye! That said, there is a difference between the two types. If you are leaving you say “gaeseo”, if you are staying you say “gaeseo”. This is especially important if you are talking to someone who outranks you, or is older than you.

Kamsa Hamnae Da: Thank You!

A Bonus Word:

There is one interesting word that a lot of schools mention at least once in their curriculum, and I'm adding it here as a bonus. That word is Jung Shin. What does that mean?

Jung Shin: Often referred to as “black belt spirit” in most American schools, it’s the concept of the moral standard of a Tae Kwon Do student. These are also called the "Five Tenets of Tae Kwon Do". They mainly center around what type of person the idea black belt should be. Their essentially a way of determining how a black belt should behave. Not every black belt knows of these (though I think they should) but knowing what they are can be very helpful in your Tae Kwon Do education.

Now go forth and flex your newfound knowledge of Tae Kwon Do Terminology!