Korean Language used in Hapkido

Since Hapkido is a Korean Martial Art, you will come across the following common Korean Language being used in Hapkido classes or competitions. As a Hapkido practitioner, knowing these common translations will be very beneficial. As a beginner, don’t worry too much and learn as you go. This document is structured to go from beginner to advanced so first focus on counting from one to ten and advance as you feel comfortable. As a Black Belt you should have an understanding of all of the common Korean Terms used as well as the Class Opening / Closing procedures used in your school. As a Referee and/or Competitor in a Hapkido Competitive event you should know the instructions given by or given to you. Pay special attention to the Hapkido Competition Korean Language section.

Count to Ten

In your Hapkido training your instructor may very well use Korean counting as you warm up doing stretch kicks and other exercises. Knowledge of the “Oral” Korean language is certainly a benefit. If you are an over-achiever, you can begin to learn the written language as well. Korean numbers are written using symbols that are called “Hangul”. These symbols are shown next to each number.

One 하나 (Hana or Hah – nah)
Two 둘 (Dul or Dool)
Three 셋 (Set or Seht)
Four 넷 (Net or Neht)
Five 다섯 (Dausut or Dah suht)
Six 여섯 (Yeosut or Yuh suht)
Seven 일곱 (Ilgup or eel gob)
Eight 여덟 (Yeodul or yuh duhl)
Nine 아홉 (Ah-hope or ah hob)
Ten 열 (Yuhl)

Common Korean Language Terms

In addition to being able to count to ten, these are common terms that are useful to know as you progress as a Hapkido Martial Art student.

Gym DoJang
Uniform Dobok
Belt Dee
Hello Ahn Young HaShim NeeKa
Goodbye Ahn Young He Gae SeYo
How are you? Ahn Young Ha SeYo
Left Oen
Right Oreun
Yes Ye /Ne
No Anio
Sit Down Ahn Jo
Stand Up Ee Ro Set
Attention Cha Reut
Bow Kyung Yea
Return BaRoe
Time She Gon
Thank you Ca’am Sah Hahm Nee Dah
You’re welcome Chuhn Mahn Eh Yo

Common Korean Commands for Starting a Hapkido Class:

These are the typical commands for starting a class at the Korean Martial Arts School which is also the home of the Global Hapkido Association. The Global Hapkido Association (GHA) does not dictate that it’s member schools adhere to this practice, so it is given only as an example of the Korean Language used in some Hapkido schools.

The highest ranking first senior student gives these commands

Attention Cha Ryuht
Kneel Jung Jwa
Salute the Flag Kyung Neh
Meditate Moong Yum
End Meditation BaRoe
Bow to Master Sa Bum Nim Gae, Kyung Neh
All Students say HapKi
End Salute BaRoe

The Master Instructor issues the command to stand Up – EhRoSet

Common Korean Commands for Ending a Hapkido Class:

Similar to the starting commands above, these are the typical commands for ending a class at the Korean Martial Arts School. The Global Hapkido Association (GHA) does not dictate that it’s member schools adhere to this practice, so it is given only as an example of the Korean Language used in some Hapkido schools.

The highest ranking first senior student gives these commands:

Attention Cha Ryuht
Kneel Jung Jwa
Salute the Flag Kyung Neh
Meditate Moong Yum
End Meditation BaRoe
Bow to Master Sa Bum Nim Gae, Kyung Neh
All Students say Ca’am Sah Hahm Nee Dah
End Salute BaRoe

The second senior student gives these commands:

Turn to face 1^st Senior Student ToRah
Bow to 1^st Senior Student Sun Bae Nim Gae, Kyung Neh
All Students say Thank You Ca’am Sah Ham Nee Dah
End Salute BaRoe

The highest ranking first senior student says:

You’re Welcome Chuhn Mahn Eh Yo
Stand Up EhRoSet

The Master Instructor now makes any announcements and dismisses class.

Common Korean Language used in Hapkido Competition:

If you are a Global Hapkido Association Event referee or competitor, you will want to learn these Korean Language terms:

Blue (Right Side) Chung
Red (Left Side) Hong
Attention Cha Reut
Bow Kyung Yea
Point Jeum
Point Deduction GamJeum
Ready Position JoonBe
Turn & Face each other Jha Wee Yong Woo
Stop (Break) Gall Yoe
Stop (End) GoMahn
Warning KyongGo
Continue Kae Sok
Return BaRoe
Round One IL Hae Jon
Round Two Ee Hae Jon
Round Three Sahm Hae Jon
Time She Gon
Referee Joo Sim
Shout or Yell KiHap
Winner Seung

Korean Hapkido Weapons Language Translations:

Rope or Belt Techniques Pho Bok Sul
Half Moon Sword Whule-Do
Baton Jung Bong
Sword Kum
Spear Chang
Fan Boo Chai
Short Stick (12”) Dan Bong
Cane Dan Jang or Ji Pang E
Bamboo Sword Juk Do
Knife / Dagger Dan Gum
Hand Gun Kwon Chong
Long Staff (6’) Jang Bong

Common Blocking & Kicking Language Translations:

Outward Block PhaKuRo MakKi
Inward Block AhNoRo MakKi
High Block EolGool MakKi
Low Block AhRae MakKi
Front Stretch Kick Ahp Olegi
Side Stretch Kick Yup Olegi
Knee Attack BooRoop ChaGi
Front Kick Ahp ChaGi
Side Kick Yup ChaGi
Round House Kick DolLoYo ChaGi
Reverse Round House Kick Beet ChaGi
45 Kick BanDal ChaGi
Axe Kick NaeRyo ChaGi
Back Kick Dwi ChaGi
Hook Kick HoRyo ChaGi
Back Spin Kick Dwi DulRyo ChaGi
Push Kick MilYo ChaGi
Inward Crescent Kick AhNoRo PyoJok ChaGi
Outward Crescent Kick PhaKuRo PyoJok ChaGi
Jump Front Kick E-Dan Ahp ChaGi
Jump Side Kick E-Dan Yup ChaGi
Jump Round House Kick E-Dan DolLoYo ChaGi
Jump Back Kick E-Dan Dwi ChaGi

Hapkido Belt Ranks:

The Global Hapkido Association recognizes 18 Belt Ranks. There are nine Color Belt levels known as “GUP” belt ranks and nine Black Belt levels known as “Dan” Ranks. The order of the colored belt ranks is 9^th GUP (Beginner) to 1^st GUP (Advanced). The Belt Colors are determined by the Master Instructor / Do Jang Owner. Because of this, comparing a color belt from one Do Jang to another may not be equal whereas comparing a student’s GUP Rank from one Do Jang (school) to another should be equal. As in most Martial Arts, students typically start as a White Belt, 9^th GUP. The Belt Ranks are as follows from lowest level beginner to Master / Grandmaster:

9^th GUP – White Belt
8^th GUP
7^th GUP
6^th GUP
5^th GUP
4^th GUP
3^rd GUP
2^nd GUP
1^st GUP
1^st DAN (sometimes called a 1^st Degree Black Belt) – Title = Joh Kyo Nim
2^nd DAN (sometimes called a 2^nd Degree Black Belt) – Title = Kyo Sah Nim
3^rd DAN (sometimes called a 3^rd Degree Black Belt) – Title = Po Sa Bum Nim
4^th DAN (sometimes called a 4^th Degree Black Belt) – Title = Sa Bum Nim
5^th DAN (sometimes called a 5^th Degree Black Belt) – Title = Sa Bum Nim
6^th DAN (sometimes called a 6^th Degree Black Belt) – Title = Sa Bum Nim
7^th DAN (sometimes called a 7^th Degree Black Belt) – Title = Sa Bum Nim
8^th DAN (sometimes called a 8^th Degree Black Belt) – Title = Sa Bum Nim
9^th DAN (sometimes called a 9^th Degree Black Belt) – Title = Sa Bum Nim

You achieve the title of Master (Sa Bum Nim) once you have reached the 4^th DAN Rank.

7^th, 8^th and 9^th DAN’s who are also School Owners have the title Kwahn Jang Nim.

A 9^th DAN that has been awarded the title of Grand Master is addressed as Chong Kwahn Jang Nim.