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Taekwondo is practiced around the world, yet its terminology is not always pronounced, translated, or interpreted consistently. The same technique may be identified differently depending on the country, school, or instructor’s educational background.

This diversity reflects Taekwondo’s global expansion, but it can also create confusion during instruction, promotion tests, seminars, and communication among practitioners from different regions.

To provide an accessible and documented reference, MASTKD is launching an educational series based on the “List of Taekwondo Skills” included in the Taekwondo Textbook (English Edition) published by Kukkiwon.

The material was provided following an institutional request from MASTKD. Kukkiwon authorized its use through an official letter issued on July 16, 2026.

Read also: MASTKD to Publish Taekwondo Terminology with Authorization from Kukkiwon

MASTKD to Publish Taekwondo Terminology with Authorization from Kukkiwon

A Guide to Understanding, Not Just Translating

Taekwondo terminology cannot be reduced to replacing a Korean word with an English or Spanish equivalent.

Each term identifies an action, stance, direction, or specific method of performing a skill. Understanding how the terminology is structured is therefore just as important as knowing its translation.

The Kukkiwon material organizes the terminology through different levels:

• Skill: the main technical family.
• Title: the name of a technique within that family.
• Utilized Skill: a specific application or variation of the technique.
• Supplementary Name: an additional name that provides further information about its execution.

This structure shows that terms such as Makgi, Chagi, and Seogi do not describe single techniques. They identify broad technical families containing multiple actions and variations.

The 16 Technical Families of Taekwondo

The classification provided by Kukkiwon organizes Taekwondo skills into 16 major technical families.

1. Kkeokgi — Joint-lock

This family includes techniques used to control, press, twist, or restrict the movement of a joint.

2. Nakbeop — Breakfall

It covers techniques used to fall in a controlled manner and reduce the impact of contact with the ground.

3. Neomgigi — Take down

This family includes actions intended to bring another person to the ground through off-balancing, tripping, or throwing techniques.

4. Ditgi — Stepping

It includes foot movements used to advance, retreat, change direction, or adjust the position of the body.

5. Ttwigi — Jumping

This family covers the different forms of jumping used in Taekwondo’s technical and demonstration practices.

6. Makgi — Blocking

It includes defensive techniques used to block, deflect, or contain an offensive action.

7. Milgi — Pushing out

This family covers actions intended to push or move a target through the controlled application of force.

8. Ppaegi — Pull away

It includes techniques used to escape from a grasp or withdraw a part of the body through different directions and rotations.

9. Seogi — Stance

This family includes the positions that determine foot placement, weight distribution, and the body base from which techniques are performed.

10. Japgi — Grasping

It covers actions used to grasp, hold, or control a part of an opponent’s body.

11. Junbijase — Ready stance

This family includes the preparatory positions adopted before performing a technique, exercise, bout, or predetermined sequence.

12. Jireugi — Punching

It covers fist techniques performed primarily through a direct movement toward the target.

13. Jjireugi — Thrust

This family includes thrusting techniques performed with specific striking surfaces of the hand.

14. Chagi — Kicking

It covers offensive techniques performed with the feet and legs and represents one of Taekwondo’s most extensive and recognizable technical families.

15. Chigi — Striking

This family includes strikes performed with different parts of the hand, arm, elbow, knee, or other body surfaces applicable within each technical context.

16. Pihagi — Dodging

It covers actions used to avoid an attack through changes in body position, height, inclination, or direction.

Educational Chapter Index

This central guide will be updated as MASTKD publishes each chapter of the series.

Stances and Preparation

• Seogi: stance.
• Junbijase: ready stance.

Stepping, Jumping, and Dodging

• Ditgi: stepping.
• Ttwigi: jumping.
• Pihagi: dodging.

Blocking Techniques

• Makgi: blocking and its main variations.

Offensive Hand and Arm Techniques

• Jireugi: punching.
• Jjireugi: thrust.
• Chigi: striking.

Kicking Techniques

• Chagi: kicking techniques, variations, and supplementary names.

Control Techniques, Self-Defense, and Breakfalls

• Kkeokgi: joint-lock.
• Nakbeop: breakfall.
• Neomgigi: take down.
• Milgi: pushing out.
• Ppaegi: pull away.
• Japgi: grasping.

Each chapter will include the romanized terms listed in the authorized material, their English equivalents, and an educational explanation designed to make the terminology easier to understand.

Original Terminology and Editorial Explanation

MASTKD will clearly distinguish between two levels of information:

• The romanized names and English equivalents come from the authorized material in the Taekwondo Textbook (English Edition).
• The explanatory descriptions and educational organization of the content were developed editorially by MASTKD unless otherwise stated.

The purpose is not to present MASTKD’s explanations as official definitions issued by Kukkiwon. The objective is to help readers understand the original terminology and use it with greater precision.

A Project in Continuous Development

This page will serve as the central access point for the entire series. Every new article will be added to the index, progressively building an international educational reference platform.

The guide is intended for masters, instructors, coaches, athletes, students, families, and anyone interested in understanding the technical structure of Taekwondo.

Rather than imposing a single way of speaking, the project seeks to return to the source, organize knowledge, and improve understanding among communities that share the same martial art.

Through this initiative, MASTKD expands its role as a specialized international media outlet and turns its global reach into a tool for education.

Terminology source: Taekwondo Textbook (English Edition), published by Kukkiwon. Material used under written authorization granted to MASTKD on July 16, 2026.

Editorial clarification: The explanatory descriptions and educational organization included in this guide were developed by MASTKD and should not be interpreted as official definitions issued by Kukkiwon.

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