Learning the Korean terminology for the techniques in Tang Soo Do is a requirement for all students. And sooner or later as you progress through the belt system you will be required to take a terminology test at a Gup grading.

These are usually introduced at Green Tag or Brown Belt and help to prepare you for the terminology  test when you are put forward for the Dan grading. When you join the association you receive a students manual, which contains all of the terminology you need to know. Repeating techniques that the instructor uses in class should help you with the basic terminology. Sometimes however what is heard does not relate to what is written in the manual, due to accents and pronunciation. Therefore students should read their manual and attempt to learn the Korean as it is written as well as spoken.

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As a Cho Dan Bo you must be able to supply the English translation of the Korean. There are one hundred and twenty six terms used in the students manual and these are used in this test. A Cho Dan Bo testing for Cho Dan you must score above 90% at the testing to pass. As a Cho Dan testing for E Dan or E Dan testing for Sam Dan you must score 100% to pass.

Instructors should be mindful that they use the Korean terminology during class, and not just teach in English, otherwise they do not introduce the lower grades to the Korean. It may be difficult for some white and orange belts to understand or pronounce the Korean term, but when the instructor uses the terminology in class they will know what to do for some of the phrases. An example of this is Shi sun and Dwi Ri Tora. Many instructors just say trun and then Ki Hap, but when explained in class students can soon relate to Shi Sun (Focus of Eyes) and look over their shoulder ready to turn. And then complete the move on Dwi Ro Tora (Turn to Rear).

As Instructors it is our job to bring things to a level that all can understand while maintaining the traditions of Tang Soo Do, using basic Korean in class will allow the students to become familiar with the terminology. Try using the terminology in the warm up, ask what technique you have described in Korean, or have a short test randomly at the end of class. All of these will help and encourage students to learn the Korean terminology.

The terminology pages on this website will display the English translation for the Korean by holding the mouse over  the Korean, a box will then appear showing the translation. We also have a number of terminology tests on line for students to test their knowledge.