Terminology
Korean Terminology Project for Geom-Beop
The Korean name for Korea is "Hangeuk" and its people are called "Hangeuksaram". The ancient name for Korea is "Choson", which means literally "the land of morning calm" and comes from the "Choson" (or "Yi") dynasty of Korea's history (1392-1905). The name "Korea" comes from the "Koryu" dynasty of Korea's history (935-1392) during which westerners had their first contact with Korea.
The national anthem of Korea is "Aeguk Ka" ("Love of Country"). It was written during the Japanese occupation of Korea (circa 1905-1945) and was later set to music by Ahn Eak Tai.
The Korean flag is called "Taeguk-ki" and was adopted in August of 1882, not long after the "Hermit Kingdom" opened its front and back doors to foreign aggressive powers. The central theme of the flag is that although there is constant movement within the sphere of infinity, there is also balance and harmony. The flag consists of three parts: a white field (or background), a red and blue circle in the center of the flag (containing a "yin-yang" like symbol), and four black trigrams surrounding the circle in each of the four corners of the flag.
The circle in the center is called "Taeguk" and means the origin of all things in the universe. The red and blue paisleys within the circle represent eternal duality (heaven-earth, fire-water, good-evil, male- female, dark-light, life-death). The blue portion of the circle is called "um" and represents the negative aspects of this duality; the red portion of the circle is called "yang" and represents the positive aspects. "Um-yang" is the Korean equivalent of "yin-yang".
The four black trigrams come from the Chinese book of "I Ch'ing". The trigrams also carry the idea of opposites and of balance. Each trigram (or "gye") consists of three parallel lines, some of which are broken (split), and some of which are unbroken (solid). Each gye has a specific name and represents one or more concepts: In the upper left-hand corner is "K'un" which consists of all solid lines and represents heaven, east, and spring; In the lower right-hand corner is "K'on" which consists of all broken lines and represents earth, west, and summer; In the upper right-hand corner is "Kam" which consists of one solid line surrounded by two broken lines and represents water, north, and winter; In the lower left-hand corner is "I" which consists of one broken line surrounded by two solid lines and represents fire, south, and autumn.
Ch’ung |
: |
Loyalty to One’s Country |
Hyo |
: |
Fealty to One’s Parents |
Shim |
: |
Fidelity to One’s Friends |
Yong |
: |
Courage in the face of Injustice |
Im |
: |
Benevolence to all. |
: |
Dignity towards the flag. |
|
: |
Respect towards the teacher. |
|
: |
Respect towards each other |
Ki |
: |
Spirit (Energy) or Mind (Intention); "gi" (氣) |
Geom |
: |
Sword: in the general sense; "geom" (劍) |
Chae |
: |
Body; "che" (體) |
Do ju nim |
Keeper of the Art |
|
Kwan jang nim |
Director, “mentor” or Head of dojang ( 관장 (館長) 님 ) |
|
Son-Saeng-nim |
Respectful form of "Son-saeng-” which means “teacher” but is likewise a general term of address not unlike “mister”. |
|
Tarin |
Master 달인 (達人) |
|
Chido Sabôm |
Master 지도사범 (指導師範) |
|
Sabum(Nim) |
Instructor: commonly a 4th Dan and above who is a qualified instructor of a particular subject of study that is usually sports related. (사붐 (師傅)님 ) |
|
Sun bae nim |
Senior student |
|
Hu bae nim |
junior student |
|
Hak Seng |
student |
|
Suryun Seng |
trainee |
|
Geup |
Rank or grade |
|
Kodanja |
4th dan or higher고단자 (高段者) |
|
Yudanja |
A black-belt of any grade ( 유단자 (有段者 ) |
|
Ch’odan |
1st dan. Lit.: Peginning of holding a rank (初段) |
|
dan |
Degree |
|
Checha |
Believer, disciple or follower ( 제자 弟子) |
Jonglee |
line up (also "ji hap" and "jung yul") |
Charyot |
“Come to attention” 차렷 |
Geuk gi hyang ha yoh |
face the flag |
Jwa woo hyang woo |
Face each other |
Sah bum nim keh |
Face instructor/master |
Sun bae nim keh |
Face senior student |
Simsa kwan nim keh |
Face examiner/tester |
Gyeong nye |
Bow ( 경례 敬禮 ) |
Ahnjoe |
Sit down |
Chak seok |
Sit down |
Soom-chig-gi |
Breathing Control |
Danjon ho-hup |
Abdominal breathing mediation |
Kool o angi |
Kneel (kneeling) |
Bah ro angi |
Sit in cross-legged or relaxed position |
Muk sang |
Meditation (lit: “contemplation”) |
Muk yum |
Meditation (lit: “quiet thinking”) |
Kun jol |
Deep Bow |
Ee-ro-suh |
Stand up |
Yip sŏk |
Stand up |
Joon bi |
“Ready” (준비 準備 ) |
Ppopa-kal |
Drawing the sword. This is the native Korean word for ‘paldo.’ (뽑 어 깔 ) 뽑아칼 |
Paldo |
Draw sword (발도 發刀 ); Draw sword from scabbard |
Kkoch’a-k’al |
Sheathe the sword. This is the native Korean word for ‘chakkôm.’ ( 꽂 어 깔 )꽃아칼 |
Chakkeom |
Sheath sword (착검 着?劍 ) |
Si jak |
“pegin” ( 시작 始作 ) |
Ba ro |
“Relax”; “return to ready stance”; “be at ease” (바로 ) |
Swi-eo kal |
“Rest your sword” (쉬 어 깔 ) Also: “Chi-ha-Se |
Swi-eo |
Relax |
Dwi uro dorah |
About face |
Dorah |
Turn |
Bahl bah kwah |
Switch your stance (switch your feet) |
Koo ryung op see |
In your own time |
Kalyeo |
Break (or stop) |
Kae sok |
Continue |
Yeonsok hayo |
Perform previous techniques in a sequence or continuously (連續) 하요 |
Gomahn |
Stop (also "mum cho") |
Chase pakkuseyo |
Change stance to face the rear세 (姿勢); "about face" |
Dobok dahnjung |
Fix your uniform |
Dhee dahnjung |
Fix your belt |
Hai sahn |
Class dismissed (also "hae cho") |
Koreans use two number systems when counting. One derives from native words and the other from Chinese loan words. The native numbering system is analogous to ordinals, i.e. first, second, etc. The actual system used to count any given object seems to depend very much on the objects that are being counted. The numbers that are normally heard in the dojang are the Chinese loan words and are as follows
1 |
: |
hanah |
2 |
: |
dool |
3 |
: |
set |
4 |
: |
net |
5 |
: |
dasot |
6 |
: |
yasot |
7 |
: |
ilgop |
8 |
: |
yadol |
9 |
: |
ahop |
10 |
: |
yool |
The stress in "hanah", "dasot", and "yasot" is on the first syllable, in "ilgop", "yadol", and "ahop" on the second. In counting cadence in TaeKwonDo, this is so emphasized that the other syllable frequently almost disappears (e.g., "han", "das", "yos", "lgop", "hop", etc.).
The other numbering system (which is of Chinese origin) is used in most other cases and is often used where Americans would use ordinal numbers (such as "first", "second", etc ...) and is designated as the Sino-Korean system. For example, this second numbering system is used when describing a person's rank: a first degree black belt would be an "il dan". The first ten numbers in this numbering system are as follows:
The Chinese loan numbering is quite simple for numbers above 10. Just add the required units as prefixes (for the multiples of ten) and suffixes (for the units). The only difficulty is for numbers above a thousand. Chinese has breaks at 10,000, a hundred million, and a billion (American trillion). However, unless you enter into business or purchase a car or house in Korea then you are unlikely to come across numbers as large as these.
This numbering system based on Chinese loan
numbers are as follows:
1 一
Il
2 二
I
3 三
Sam
4 四
Sa
5 五
O
6 六
Yuk
7 七
Ch’il
8 八
P’al
9 九
Ku
10 十
Sip
34 三十四
Samsipsa
100 百
Paek
1,000 千
Ch’on
10,000 萬
Man
1,000,000 百萬
Paekman
oo |
right (also "oh-ruen"; Un ro: “to the right”) |
joa |
left (also "wen"; Cha ro: “to the left”) |
ahp |
Front (Ahp ro: “forward” |
ahn |
inner |
bahkat |
outer |
bahndae |
reverse |
dwi |
Back (Ti tro: “backwards” |
ahnuro |
inward |
bahkuro |
outward |
whee |
high (up) |
whee uro |
upward |
guande |
middle |
ulgool |
high section (also "sahngdahn") |
Mom tong |
middle section (also "chungdahn") |
ahrae |
low section (also "hahdahn") |
mom |
body |
kwanjŏl |
joint |
ulgool |
face & head |
muh ree |
head |
noon |
eye |
gui |
ear |
ko |
nose |
in joong |
philtrum |
eep |
mouth |
tuhk |
chin |
mokoomŏng |
throat |
mok |
neck |
ouka |
shoulder |
myung chi |
solar plexus |
pahl |
arm |
pahlkup |
elbow |
pahlmahk |
forearm |
ahn pahlmahk |
inner side of forearm |
bahkat pahlmahk |
outer side of forearm |
meet pahlmahk |
palm side of forearm |
wi pahlmahk |
back side of forearm |
deung pahlmahk |
back of forearm |
sahnmahk |
wrist |
sahn |
hand |
sahnkal |
outside edge of hand (knifehand) |
sahnkal deung |
inside edge of hand (ridgehand) |
sahn deung |
back hand |
joomok |
fist |
sahnkahrak |
finger |
sahnkeut |
fingertip |
momtong |
trunk (middle section) |
huri |
waist |
ahrae |
lower body (low section) |
noolro |
groin |
dahree |
leg |
mooreup |
knee |
ahp jung kang yi |
shin |
bahl mahk |
ankle |
bahl |
foot (or feet) |
bahldung |
instep |
bahlbong oh ri |
arch of foot |
bahl nahl |
outside edge of foot |
an bahl nahl |
inside edge of foot |
bahl badak |
sole of foot |
ahp chook |
ball of foot |
dwi koomchi |
heel |
dwi chook |
bottom of heel |
bahlkeut |
Toes |
mom omgigi |
movement of the body |
mahki |
block |
chagi |
kick |
chirugi |
thrust (or punch) |
chigi |
strike (with the hand) |
jeek gi |
strike (with the foot) |
bahk gi |
strike (with the head) |
sahn ki sool |
hand technique |
bahl ki sool |
foot technique |
kyorugi |
sparring |
bituro |
twisting |
gamya |
stepping (also "omkyuh didigi") |
kuht neun |
walking |
uro |
moving in a particular direction (e.g. "ahp uro gamya" - stepping forward) |
bang hyang bakoogi |
changing direction |
bitkyuh surgi |
escaping |
tdwim yu |
jumping |
dora |
to turn |
dolmyo |
spinning |
mee keul myu |
sliding (also "mee kul gi") |
jupgi |
holding/grabbing |
donzigi |
throwing |
goorugi |
rolling/tumbling |
pyihagi |
dodging |
hecho |
spreading |
moyo |
gathering |
bojoo |
covering |
jajun |
use of footwork to dodge a technique |
nachugi |
body evasion by "ducking" |
Jah se |
posture (or stance) |
Joon bi |
ready stance (also "pyŏnhi sohgi") |
Chayon-se |
natural stance (자연세) |
O-Bŏp (“Five Methods”) These are the five basic postures of Korean Sword. |
|
Jung Dan Se |
Middle Guard Position (중 단 세) Also: Chungmyeon Kyeonjok (중면 견적 ) |
Sang Dan Se |
Superior Guard Position Offense (상 단 세): Taedo-se with sword raised ready for Straight Descending Cut (“chungmyôn Pegi”). Aka: Choch’ôn-se: 조천세 (朝天勢) |
Pal Dan Se |
Superior Guard Position Defense (八相勢) |
Űm Se |
High Guard Position ( 음 세 ) |
Woo Dan Se |
High Guard Position Right |
Jwa Dan Se |
High Guard Position Left |
Ha Dan Se |
Low Guard Position (하 단 세) |
Yang Se |
Rear Guard Position (양 세) |
Taedo Se |
Greater Forward Stance (dae do beop 대도법 ) Aka. high stance 대도세 (大道勢) |
Sodo Se |
Lesser Forward Stance (so do beop소도법) Aka. low stance 소도세 (小道勢); rear knee does not touch the ground. |
Kima Se |
horseback riding stance 기마세 (騎馬勢) (nae ga shin jang 내가신장) aka. Kima kyun jeok se |
Yeok-sodo-se |
This is sodo-se when you turn your front foot outwards (sometimes when leading into a reverse spinning strike). Lit.: Reverse sodo-se 역소도세 (逆小道勢) |
Geum gye dok lib pal sang se |
Single-legged Posture: (Lit: “Golden rooster standing on one leg with 8 aspects” where pal sang is shape from the old Chinese philosophy book Joo Yuk.) (金鷄獨立八相勢) also: "Crane Stance" |
P’alsang-se |
The sword is held vertically (normally) on the right side with the hilt at chest height. The arms will either be horizontal or vertical depending on the instructor. There is one major variation which is described below. ( 팔상세) |
Űnnik-se |
Cross-step 은닉세 |
Peom-se |
Back stance (범세) |
Jihase |
|
Cho chin se |
|
Bum kyun jeok se |
|
Mi la Ger ki |
Push walk |
Shipja bo hang Bop |
Fundamental walking step |
Yea Ger ki |
Substitution Step |
Balyea Jip ki |
Side-to-side walk |
Chigi |
Striking |
Ap mori chigi |
Striking the front of the head |
Yang tchok mori chigi |
Striking the side of the head (temple) |
Son mok chigi |
Striking at the wrist |
Hori chigi |
Striking at the torso |
Pegi |
Cuts 베기 (from “pe da”; “to cut”) |
Tae kyok |
Great
strike –any cut made in a wide arc |
Sodo kyok |
Lesser strike – a short snapping cut using only the wrists. (소도 격) |
Chung myeon pegi |
Straight or center cut; 중면 (中面) Or: 베기 (正面) |
Chwa pegi |
Left Diagonal Cut: Cut that pegins from above left shoulder and ends just outside right waist 좌 (左) 베기 |
U pegi |
Right Diagonal Cut: Cut that pegins from above right shoulder and ends just outside left waist 우 (右) 베기 |
Hwengdan pegi |
Horizontal cut 횡단 (橫斷) 베기 (Lit: “traversing cut” Heo Ri Pegi: waist height (허리베기) Sang Dan Pegi: shoulder height (상단베기) |
Jwa Ollyo pegi |
Left Ascending Diagonal Cut (좌 올 려 베기) |
U Ollyo pegi |
Right Ascending Diagonal Cut (우 올 려 베기) |
Wesu pegi | One-handed cut |
Chireugi |
Thrust / stab 찌르기 |
Teum |
Gap; “empty spot”; opportunity; “hole” |
Rising Parry |
|
Outside Parry |
|
Inside Parry |
|
Lower Parry |
|
Standing Parry |
|
Recumbent Parry |
|
Panggyok |
Blade held vertically to block an opponent’s thrust or cut. Lit.: Defending strike방격 (防擊) |
High Inverted parry |
|
Middle Inverted parry |
|
Coiling Parry |
|
Sword over the Spine |
sahnkal |
knifehand |
sahnkal jecho |
knifehand with palm up |
me joomuk |
hammer-fist |
ahp chagi |
: |
Front Kick |
yop chagi |
: |
Side Kick |
: |
Scoop Kick |
|
: |
Shin Kick |
|
: |
Knee Strike |
Warm-up and Preparation |
|
Hu-rigi |
Warm-up Drill 후리기 |
Sum go rugi |
Basic Breathing Technique |
Sam Dong Jak |
Three Count Striking Drill |
E Dong Jak |
Two Count Striking Drill |
Il Dong Jak |
One Count Striking Drill |
Paruen mori |
Rapid striking Drill |
Han bun kyorugi: One-Step Sparring
Kyeokkeom: Partner drills 격검 (擊劍)
O-Geom
Chung Geom
Hyo Geom
Shin Geom
Yong Geom
In Geom
Pung Eui Geom Beop
Sa Bang Jok Sool Geom Beop
Bon Kuk Geom Beop: (Native) Korean sword Method (본국검)
Choson Se-Beop
Kyo Jun Bo: Sword Sparring with Wae-geom (교전)
Dobok | Uniform ( 도복, 道服 ) |
Dhee | Belt ( 띠 ) |
Otdori | Top ( 옷도리 ) |
Maettiôp | Tie (매띠업 ) |
Paji | Training pants ( 바지 ) |
Myŏn-soo-goon | Scarf |
Hogoo | Chest protector (also "bohogoo") |
Cup-schang | Body Shield |
Cup | Groin, Leg Shield (apron) |
Hogu | Armour (adopted from Kendo) refers to all the gear호구 |
Kapsang | Waist protection 갑상 (?上) |
Kap | Body armour 갑 |
Homyôn | Helmet 호면 (?面) |
Howan | Gloves 호환 (??) |
Ttaeryôn-bok | New flexible armour 때련복 (??服) |
eep bohodae | Mouth guard |
Juk-To |
Bamboo sword. |
Bamboo Sword 죽도 (竹刀) Consists of four bamboo slats bound together by leather. In cross-section, these sticks form a circle, which is hollow inside. This empty space between bamboos allows them to move freely among each other. This feature is responsible for typical "hollow" sound of jookdo as well as for vibration reduction.The construction is identical to the bamboo sword used in Japanese Kendo called a Shinai. Juk-do has no sharp edges, since it's only purpose is training, both for conditioning and for sport competition. The Juk-To used in Kyokkum (sparring) varies in length, depending on age, gender and technique. Swords for adults come in three major sizes. |
|
Juk-To Parts |
|
Sonchapi | Leather covering for the hilt which is stitched tightly around bamboo slats. |
Deongjul | Yellow string stretching between the handle and the tip represents actual "blunt" side of the sword (Kaldung) suggesting that the opposite "sharp" side (Kalnal) is for striking. The string helps distinguish which part is sharp, and which is blunt, since the sword is absoulutely round and symmetrical. It also has a great deal of stabilizing function as it pulls the hilt and the tip together. |
Seonhyuk | Leading tip of the juk-to is a cap, made of leather. It is connected to the string (Deongjul) which serves to keep the cap in place. |
Chunghyuk | a leather stripe tied around the sword about a third of a blade length from the tip (Seonhyuk). The space between the tip and this band marks the striking area of the sword, the “Takyokbuwi”. |
Takyokbuwi | The space between the tip (Seonhyuk) and the leather band (chunghyuk) marking the striking area of the sword. A strike by any part of Juk-To different from Takyokbuwi is not considered a valid strike. |
Kodungi | Sword guard consisting of two parts; the shield itself and a rubber ring fixing the guard in a single place on the sword. |
Kodungibatchim | Rubber ring fixing the guard in place on the sword. |
Mok Geom |
Wooden sword. |
The basic practice weapon in Geom-beop. This sword is meant to represent a live blade. It is usually made of some hard wood, is slightly curved, but without a sharp edge. Mok Geom are commonly about 40” (Eng) in length and may weigh as much as 600 grams. 목검 (木劍) | |
Mok Geom Parts |
|
Geom Keut | Tip of the sword; (검
끝
)
also Geom ko (검고 ) Mang Ji ( 망 지 ) Point of the blade end Jol Son (절 선 ) Rounded edge of the blade end |
Kyukchabu, | Distal third of blade identified as the actual striking area of the blade; also: Mul Ta (물 타 ) |
Geom nal | Blade (the sharp edge,
i.e. business side of the sword)
also Nal Mu Nuwee (날 무 늬 ) |
Geom deung | Spine of the sword 검등 |
Geom seom chap-hi | Sword handle; may be a either plain glossy finish, or can be covered with a textile, leather or bound with cloth or leather tape. (검선잡히) |
Jin Geom |
Sharpened sword. (lit: “real sword”) 진검 (親劍) |
Jin Geom Parts |
|
Kal Keut | End of the sword blade (
깔
끝
)
Mang Ji ( 망 지 ) Point of the blade end Jol Son (절 선 ) Rounded edge of the blade end |
Kyokchabu, | Distal third of blade
identified as the actual striking area of the blade.
Also: Mul Ta (물 타 ) ……베 는 날 (“cutting portion of the blade” |
Kal Nal
|
Blade (the sharp edge
of the sword) (깔
날)
Also: Nal Mu Nuwee (날 무 늬 ) |
Kal Be | Ridge of the sword blade ( 칼 배 ) |
Kal Deung | Back or spine of the sword ( 칼 등 ) |
Kalnal batchim | Brass collar which is
actually holding the guard tightly (as a fitting) on the blade and is
located between the shield and the blade
Also: hwando magi (한 도 막 이 ) |
Deotse | Slender washer, or spacer, between the batchim and the ko dung-I ( 덧 쇠 ) |
Ko dung-I | Sword Guard (코
등
이
)
also: Pong Pe |
Hyeol-jo | The shallow, narrow
groove along the length of some blades.
also: Hom (홈 ) |
Terms associated with the Handle |
|
Kal jaru | Sword
handle; may be wooden and either plain, covered with a textile, leather tape
or ray skin. Hilt
(깔
자
루
)
Also: Son Jap Yi ( 손 잡 이 ) |
Ap Me Gi | Upper binding spacer located behind the guard. (앞 메 기 ) |
Sum Be Gum Ong | Rivet or pin securing the hilt to the sword tang. (슴 배 구 멍 ) |
Duit Me Gi | A metal cap covering
the end of the handle; pommel (뒤 메 기)
Also: Kal jaru mo ri |
Terms associated with the Sheath |
|
Kal jib | Scabbard or sheath: (깔 집 ) |
Kaljip Ip | Opening of the scabbard. (깔 집 입) |
Kaljip hyom | Cord fixed to the scabbard and is used for fixing the scabbard to our belt. Also: jul |
Garak ji | Metal band (Two) for securing the sheath to its suspenders.
(가 락 기 ) |
Kaljip gori | Eyelet in garakji to which the suspender is attached
(깔 집 고 리) |
Kun mok | Suspender (Two) by which the sheath is hung and carried. (끈 목 ) |
Tidon | Clip affixing the suspenders to the person’s belt or
clothing
(띠 돈 ) |
Kaljip keut | Scabbard Tip; 칼 집 긑 (HRGB) |
Weapons of the Mu Ye To Bo Tong Ji |
|
GEOM |
(剣) double-edged, single-handed, straight sword after the fashion of the Chinese JIAN, though with shorter blade and blunt tip. |
NANG SEON | Multi-pointed spear.- (bamboo) (낭 선) |
KI CHANG | Flag Spear (기 창 ) |
WAE GEOM | Japanese Sword (Katana) (왜 검 ) |
JUK JANG CHANG | Long Bamboo Spear (죽 장 창 ) |
JE DOK GEOM | Admiral's Straight [single edged] Sword (제 독 검 ) |
KON BONG | Staff (곤봉) |
KWON BOP | Empty Hands Techniques (권 법) |
YE DO | (鋭刀) is
a curved, single edged, a single-handed sabre similar to those
used in China in the Ming through Qing dynasties.
(예
도
)
Also: 刀 ; Techniques for a ‘short sword’ |
WEOL DO | (月刀) a polearm known as the “crescent moon sword” and nearly identical to the Zhanmadao from China.(월 도) |
DEUNG PAE | Shield; with a javelin and a sword (등패) |
JANG CHANG | Long Spear – 5 ft. (Chi) (장 창) |
DANG PA | Trident (당 파 ) |
HYEOP DO | (侠刀) known as the “spear sword” it resembles a staff with a short blade affixed to the lead end. (협도) |
PYEON KON | Korean Flail (편 곤 ) |
SSANG SOO DO | (双手刀) a large, two-handed sabre |
Sword Handling |
|
Wui Su |
One-handed Technique |
Ssangsoo |
Two-handed Technique; i.e. using a single sword with both hands 쌍수 (雙手) |
K’otung-i ssaűm |
When the opponents come close together with swords crossed and tussle to push the other back and give an opportunity for an strike or throw. Lit.: "Guard fight" 코둥이 싸음 |
Ssang geum |
Double Sword Technique 쌍검 (雙劍) |
Daenamu pegi |
Bamboo cutting 대나무베 기 |
Cheotbul Keugi | Candle extinguishing 촛불끄기 |
Sinmunji pegi | Newspaper slicing 신문지 베기 |
Kagmok charugi | Board breaking 각목자르기 |
Tollyôsô | Rotate the sword vertically forward or backwards돌려서 |
Panggyeok | Counter attack 방격 (防擊) |
Yeokkeom | Holding the sword with one, or both, hands reversed 역검 |
kyorugi | (free) sparring 겨루기 |
Sool | Technique |
Hyung | Form |
ye |
yes (also "ne") |
anio |
no |
kahm sa hamnida |
thank you 감사 (感謝) 합니다 |
komap sumnida |
less formal form of "thank you" |
chŏn maeneyo |
you're welcome (literally "Don't mention it!") |
cheuk ka hamnida |
congratulations! |
ahnyong hasimnika |
How are you? (literally "Are you well?" or "Are you at peace?") |
ahnyong hasayo |
less formal form of "How are you?" 안녕 (安寧) 하세요 |
Sugo hasyôssumnida |
You worked hard (usually at the end of practice, to the instructor and fellow students) 수고 하셨습니다 |
yoboseyo |
hello (used on the phone or to get somone's attention; literally "Please look here!") |
ahnyonghee gasipsiyo |
good-bye (to the person who is leaving); literally "Go in peace!" |
ahnyonghee gyesipsiyo |
good-bye (to the person who is staying); literally "Stay in peace!" |
ahnyonghee gasayo |
less formal form of "good-bye" (to the person who is leaving) |
ahnyonghee gyesayo |
less formal form of "good-bye" (to the person who is staying. |
Ch’ôum pwepkessumnida |
Pleased to meet you (for the first time ) 처음 뵙겠습니다 |
pangap seumnida |
Pleased to meet you! |
toh poepkesŏyo |
See you later! |
ŏsŏ osayo |
Welcome! |
choesong hamnida |
I'm sorry |
mian hamnida |
less formal form of "I'm sorry!" |
shillye hamnida |
Excuse me! (asking forgiveness for an impolite act) |
kwaen chanayo |
That's all right |
ahlge sŏyo |
I understand |
moreuge sŏyo |
I don't understand |
Posi |
“Look” (보시 ) [ The instructor will say this when you change direction but fail to look first ] |
Tachyôsoyo |
I’m hurt (다졌어요 ) |
Kôn’gang haseyo? |
Are you well? ( 건강 (健康) 하세요? ) [as a greeting] |
Chal chinassôyo |
I am well (잘 지났어요 ) |
Sôlmyong hae chuseyo |
Please explain that ( 설명 (說明) 하세요 ) |
ihae haessôyo |
I understand ( 이해 (理解) 했어요 ) |
Arassayo |
I understand and will do it that way next time |
Towa chuseyo |
Please help me ( 도와 주세요 ) |
Kapsida |
Lets go ( 갑시다 ) |
Oseyo |
Please come here ( 오세요 ) |
Hapsida |
Lets do that ( 합시다 ) |
Tuseyo |
Please eat / drink (to somŏne more senior than you) ( 두세요 ) |
Mokja |
Lets eat (to somŏne of the same or lower position than you) ( 먹자 ) |
Maseyo |
Please drink (informal) ( 마세요 ) |
chaemi issŏyo |
It is fun (or interesting)! |
Sugo hasyôssumnida |
You worked hard (usually at the end of practice, to the fellow students) 수고 하셨습니다 |
Kűrôhchi |
That’s correct (exclamation) 그렇지 |
dojang |
place where one trains (house of discipline) |
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gong-kyok |
offense |
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Chae yook kwan |
fitness center (common term for martial arts school in Korea) |
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hosinsool |
self-defense |
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kihap |
Yell (기합 氣合) |
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jung shin yuk |
mental strength, or martial art spirit (also "moodo jung shin") |
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jung shin dong il |
concentration of the mind |
||
jung shin soo yang |
development (training) of the mind |
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jung do |
the "right" way (correctness of action) |
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sim shin dahn ryun |
mind and body discipline |
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chung myung kwon |
development (training) of the body, mind, and spirit |
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chi shik |
knowledge of mind and thoughts |
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heng dong |
execution (action) of the body and its techniques |
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ho hyoop |
breathing |
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shim ho hyoop |
breathing control (deep breathing) |
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himm |
force or power |
||
ki |
life-energy |
||
dahnjun |
the center of your "ki" |
||
choong sim |
center of gravity |
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chojum |
focus (focal point) of your energy |
||
jeung ga |
increase (to strengthen or augment) |
||
kyuk pa |
breaking (the art of breaking boards, bricks, and tiles) |
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shibum |
demonstration (or exhibition) |
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jung jhik |
honesty |
||
Hoin-Sek (Paek) |
White 횐색 (백 白) aka. hin |
||
Noran-Sek |
Yellow 노란색 (황 黃) |
||
Ch’orok-Sek |
Green 초록색 (녹) |
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P’aran-Sek |
Blue 파란 색 (청 靑) aka. chung |
||
Ppalgan-Sek |
Red 빨간색 (홍 紅) aka. hong |
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Pam-Sek |
Brown 밤색 |
||
Kkaman-Sek |
Black 까만색 (흑 黑) |
||
Deh Han Min Kook |
Republic of Korea. This is usually shortened to “Deh Han” which means the same. |
||
Hyup Hae |
association (often shortened to Hae) |
||
|
boo sang |
injury |
|
|
P’algup hyôpyôki |
Push ups 팔궆혀펴기 |
|
|
Utmom lrok’igi |
Sit ups 웃몸일으키기 |
|
|
pyugi |
stretching |
|
Simsang |
Lit.: Appearance of the heart = expression of the heart of a swordsman? 심상 (心相) |
||
Űmyang |
Lit.: Light and shade, the Chinese Taoist concept of balance. Often, as here, poorly explained 음양 (陰陽) |
||
Ipsan suhaeng |
Lit: Enter the mountain and exercise but normally used to mean particularly hard training in the mountains 입산수행 (入山修行) |
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Taegeuk |
Taeguk literally means ‘great ultimate’ and now refers to the Korean national flag 대극 (大極) |
Why Is the McCune-Reischauer System So "Complicated"?
The McCune-Reischauer system is a transcription system; it re-writes Korean words in the Latin alphabet based on their sound. Readers illiterate in Korean have no way of knowing the sound of 독립 not to mention its meaning. Transcription, or the recoding of 독립 as tongnip, helps them to recognize and reproduce its sound. (Its translation, independence, helps them to understand its meaning.)
While the function of the McCune-Reischauer system is straightforward--All it does is match each Korean consonant and vowel with the roman letter or letters equivalent in sound--the system is criticized for being too complicated to use. There are two main reasons for such criticisms: the use of a diacritical (meaning distinguishing) mark for certain vowels and the use of multiple roman letters for some consonants.
While it is true that the M-R system uses a diacritical mark and associates multiple roman letters for some consonants, these problems are hardly attributable to the M-R system.
First, Korean has more vowels than the Latin alphabet. Specifically, ㅓ and ㅡ do not have roman letters equivalent in sound. While o and u come close to these vowels, they are closer to ㅗ and ㅜ than to ㅓ and ㅡ.(1) Consequently, these roman letters are reserved for ㅗ and ㅜ. Since o and u cannot be used for ㅓ and ㅡ, it is impossible not to "create" new roman letters. The McCune-Reischauer System does it efficiently by using a single diacritical mark over o and u: ŏ for ㅓ and ŭ for ㅡ. These letters are awkward but the M-R system should not be to blame for them. And although ŏ and ŭ were hard to type in the past, today, most word-processing programs can handle these letters easily.
Second, some Korean consonants represent two or more different sounds depending on their position in a word or phrase.(2) A different roman letter is then required to represent each sound. (Korean vowels, on the other hand, do not change their sounds.) Sound changes are confusing and inconvenient but the M-R system should not be to blame for them.
Example) ㄱ
is pronounced as k
in 고려 or
석상,
g in 적용,
or ng in 직면.
"The Romanization of Korean According to the McCune-Reischauer System," Transactions of the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 38, 1961, p. 128.
Simplified Table vs. Comprehensive Chart of the M-R System
While the simplified table is sufficient for the transcription of most proper names, the comprehensive chart covers irregularities in consonant combinations:
Step-by-Step Romanization of 독립 according to the M-R System
The above tables do appear complicated but such appearance is misleading. They are actually much simpler and easier to use than they first appear. The following exercise is intended to prove this point.
독립 can be disaggregated into 독 + 립 and then further into ㄷ + ㅗ + ㄱ + ㄹ + ㅣ+ ㅂ. ㄱ and ㄹ are underlined to indicate the possibility of sound change.
(1). ㄷin 독 is an initial consonant with no preceding final consonant. The roman letter
for such ㄷ is T(1)
in the consonant table below. (All
other roman letters in the ㄷ column
are for initial consonant ㄷ preceded by final
consonants in previous syllables.)
(2) The roman letter for ㅗ in 독 is o(2)
in the vowel table below.
(3) ㄱ in 독 is a final consonant followed by an initial consonant ㄹin 립. The roman
letters for this ㄱ-ㄹ pair are
to be found at the intersection of the ㄱ
row and the ㄹ column: NGN(3)
(4) The roman letter for ㅣin 립 is i(4)
in the vowel table.
(5) Finally, ㅂin 립 is a final consonant followed by no initial consonant.
The roman letter for such ㅂ is P(5)
in the ㅂrow.
(All other roman letters in the ㅂrow are
for final consonant ㅂfollowed by initial
consonants in the next syllables.)
(6) The final outcome is tongnip.
Simplified Table of the McCune-Reischauer System
Consonant Table
Row:
Initial |
ㅇ |
ㄱ |
ㄴ |
ㄷ |
ㄹ |
ㅁ |
ㅂ |
ㅅ |
ㅈ |
ㅊ |
ㅋ |
ㅌ |
ㅍ |
ㅎ |
|
* |
K |
N |
T (1) |
(R) |
M |
P |
S |
CH |
CH' |
K' |
T' |
P' |
H |
||
ㄱ |
K |
G |
KK |
NGN |
KT |
NGN(3) |
NGM |
KP |
KS |
KCH |
KCH' |
KK' |
KT' |
KP' |
KH |
ㄴ |
N |
N |
N'G |
NN |
ND |
LL |
NM |
NB |
NS |
NJ |
NCH' |
NK' |
NT' |
NP' |
NH |
ㄹ |
L |
R |
LG |
LL |
LT |
LL |
LM |
LB |
LS |
LCH |
LCH' |
LK' |
LT' |
LP' |
RH |
ㅁ |
M |
M |
MG |
MN |
MD |
MN |
MM |
MB |
MS |
MJ |
MCH' |
MK' |
MT' |
MP' |
MH |
ㅂ |
P(5) |
B |
PK |
MN |
PT |
MN |
MM |
PP |
PS |
PCH |
PCH' |
PK' |
PT' |
PP' |
PH |
ㅇ |
NG |
NG |
NGG |
NGN |
NGD |
NGN |
NGM |
NGB |
NGS |
NGJ |
NGCH' |
NGK' |
NGT' |
NGP' |
NGH |
Vowel Table
ㅏ |
ㅑ |
ㅓ |
ㅕ |
ㅗ |
ㅛ |
ㅜ |
ㅠ |
ㅡ |
ㅣ |
ㅘ |
ㅝ |
ㅐ |
ㅔ |
ㅚ |
ㅟ |
ㅢ |
ㅙ |
ㅞ |
ㅒ |
ㅖ |
a |
ya |
ŏ |
yŏ |
o(2) |
yo |
u |
yu |
ŭ |
i(4) |
wa |
wŏ |
ae |
e |
oe |
wi |
ŭi |
wae |
we |
yae |
ye |