Within Taekwondo instruction, the terms Jireugi, Jjireugi and Chigi are often grouped under general translations such as “hitting” or “striking.” However, each term identifies a different technical mechanic.

Jireugi primarily refers to punching actions; Jjireugi describes a direct thrusting or penetrating action with the hand; and Chigi encompasses strikes performed with different body surfaces, directions and trajectories.

As part of its educational guide based on Kukkiwon’s Taekwondo Textbook, MASTKD presents the terminology associated with these three technical groups.

Taekwondo Terminology: An Educational Guide Based on Kukkiwon’s Taekwondo Textbook

Jireugi: punching

Jireugi is the term used to identify punching actions. Kukkiwon establishes 19 main forms and six specific applications.

Geumgangjireugi: diamond punch

Geumgangjireugi combines punching actions within a diamond-shaped technical configuration.

Its two applications are:

• Geumgang Apjireugi: diamond front punch.
• Geumgang Yeopjireugi: diamond side punch.

Other forms of Jireugi

• Naeryeojireugi: downward punch.
• Dollyeojireugi: turning punch.
• Du Beon Jireugi: double punch.
• Dwitjumeok Jireugi: back-hand punch.
• Barojireugi: opposite-hand punch.
• Bandaejireugi: same-side punch.
• Biteureojireugi: twisting punch.
• Sewojireugi: upright punch.
• Araejireugi: lower punch.
• Apjumeok Jireugi: front punch.
• Eolguljireugi: face punch.
• Yeopjireugi: side punch.
• Ollyeojireugi / Chijireugi: uppercut punch.
• Jangaemul Nakbeop Jireugi: punch performed during an obstacle-rolling breakfall.
• Jeotyeojireugi: flipped-fist punch.
• Chetdarijireugi: forked punch.
• Danggyeojireugi: pulling punch.
• Pyojeokjireugi: target punch.

Specific applications of Jireugi

In addition to the two Geumgangjireugi variations, Kukkiwon includes:

• Pyojeok Yeopjireugi: target side punch.
• Du Bamjumeok Chijireugi: double Bamjumeok uppercut punch.
• Du Jumeok Jeotyeojireugi: flipped double-fist punch.
• Teok Danggyeojireugi: chin pulling punch.

Jjireugi: thrusting

Jjireugi identifies thrusting actions designed to penetrate directly with a specific hand configuration and trajectory.

Kukkiwon establishes four main forms and two applications:

• Geodeuro Jjireugi: supported thrust.
• Sewojjireugi: upright thrust.
• Eopeojjireugi: palm-down thrust.
• Jeotyeojjireugi: palm-up thrust.

Its two applications are:

• Geodeuro Sewojjireugi: supported upright thrust.
• Arae Jeotyeojjireugi: palm-up low thrust.

The distinction between Jireugi and Jjireugi is fundamental: the former relates to punching mechanics, while the latter seeks to penetrate through a direct trajectory and a specific hand position.

Chigi: striking

Chigi encompasses striking actions performed with different body surfaces. These include the knife hand, back of the hand, palm, hammer fist, elbow, knee and head.

Kukkiwon organizes this group into 13 main forms and 42 technical applications.

Geodeureochigi: supported strike

In Geodeureochigi, one limb performs the strike while the other provides support.

Its four applications are:

• Mok Ageumson Geodeuro Apchigi / Geodeuro Kaljebi: arc-hand supported neck forward strike.
• Eolgul Deungjumeok Geodeuro Apchigi: supported back-fist face forward strike.
• Palkkumchi Geodeuro Dollyeochigi: supported elbow turning strike.
• Palkkumchi Geodeuro Yeopchigi: supported elbow side strike.

Naeryeochigi: downward strike

Kukkiwon identifies five applications:

• Deungjumeok Naeryeochigi: back-fist downward strike.
• Mejumeok Naeryeochigi: hammer-fist downward strike.
• Sonnal Naeryeochigi: knife-hand downward strike.
• Sonnaldeung Naeryeochigi: back-of-knife-hand downward strike.
• Palkkumchi Naeryeochigi: elbow downward strike.

Danggyeochigi: pulling strike

Danggyeochigi combines a strike with a grasping or pulling action that brings the target closer.

Its application is:

• Teok Deungjumeok Danggyeo Geodeuro Apchigi: pulling supported back-fist chin forward strike.

Dollyeochigi: turning strike

Its three applications are:

• Mureup Dollyeochigi: knee turning strike.
• Eolgul Palkkumchi Geodeuro Dollyeochigi: supported elbow face turning strike.
• Palkkumchi Dollyeochigi: elbow turning strike.

Dwichigi: back strike

Kukkiwon establishes two applications:

• Eolgul Palkkumchi Dwichigi: elbow face back strike.
• Palkkumchi Dwichigi: elbow back strike.

Meongechigi

Meongechigi is a yoke-shaped strike. Its configuration allows simultaneous striking actions toward both sides.

Bakkatchigi: outward strike

Its three applications are:

• Mok Sonnal Bakkatchigi: knife-hand neck outward strike.
• Mejumeok Bakkatchigi: hammer-fist outward strike.
• Eolgul Deungjumeok Bakkatchigi: back-fist face outward strike.

Apchigi: forward strike

Kukkiwon recognizes six applications:

• Mejumeok Apchigi: hammer-fist forward strike.
• Mok Ageumson Apchigi / Kaljebi: arc-hand neck forward strike.
• Batangson Apchigi: palm-hand forward strike.
• Eolgul Deungjumeok Apchigi: back-fist face forward strike.
• Eolgul Batangson Apchigi: palm-hand face forward strike.
• Ima Apchigi / Bakchigi: forehead strike or headbutt.

Anchigi: inward strike

Kukkiwon establishes six applications:

• Du Mejumeok Anchigi: double hammer-fist inward strike.
• Mok Sonnal Anchigi: knife-hand neck inward strike.
• Mok Jebipum Anchigi: swallow-shaped knife-hand neck inward strike.
• Batangson Anchigi: palm-hand inward strike.
• Arae Mejumeok Pyojeok Anchigi: hammer-fist low target inward strike.
• Eolgul Mejumeok Pyojeok Anchigi: hammer-fist face target inward strike.

Ollyeochigi: upward strike

Its two applications are:

• Mureup Ollyeochigi: knee upward strike.
• Teok Palkkumchi Ollyeochigi: elbow chin upward strike.

Yeopchigi: side strike

Kukkiwon establishes five applications:

• Deungjumeok Yeopchigi: back-fist side strike.
• Mok Sonnal Yeopchigi: knife-hand neck side strike.
• Sonnal Yeopchigi: knife-hand side strike.
• Palkkumchi Yeopchigi: elbow side strike.
• Palkkumchi Geodeuro Yeopchigi: supported elbow side strike.

Jebipumchigi: swallow-shaped strike

Its two applications are:

• Mok Jebipum Anchigi: swallow-shaped neck inward strike.
• Teok Jebipum Apchigi: swallow-shaped chin forward strike.

Pyojeokchigi: target strike

Kukkiwon recognizes three applications:

• Arae Mejumeok Pyojeok Anchigi: hammer-fist low target inward strike.
• Eolgul Mejumeok Pyojeok Anchigi: hammer-fist face target inward strike.
• Palkkumchi Pyojeok Apchigi: elbow target forward strike.

Three terms that do not mean the same thing

The distinction among these three technical families is not merely linguistic.

Jireugi describes punching; Jjireugi identifies a direct thrusting action; and Chigi refers to strikes performed with different body surfaces and trajectories.

Using each term correctly helps identify the mechanics, direction, target and striking surface involved. It also prevents different techniques from being simplified under general expressions that reduce the precision of instruction.

This content forms part of MASTKD’s educational project, developed with Kukkiwon’s authorization to publish the terminology included in the supplied material from the Taekwondo Textbook (English Edition).

Previous chapter: Makgi: 17 Forms of Blocking and 42 Applications in Taekwondo

Makgi: 17 Forms of Blocking and 42 Applications in Taekwondo

Terminology source: Kukkiwon, Taekwondo Textbook (English Edition).
Educational adaptation: MASTKD.

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