Ask Me Anything Korean Language Related
- Thread starter KangTsai
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Finlay
Green Belt
I have a question about Korean terminology
the term 'uke' in Japanese was incorrectly translated as to block, i believe the meaning is actually closer 'to receive'
Was there a similar mistranslation in taekwondo with the term 'makgi'?
the term 'uke' in Japanese was incorrectly translated as to block, i believe the meaning is actually closer 'to receive'
Was there a similar mistranslation in taekwondo with the term 'makgi'?
I'm not an expert, but I've ready elsewhere that makgi means to interrupt or forestall. So to your point, it doesn't really mean "block" per se. You're not blocking the opponent's attack, you're interrupting it.
That's interesting. I've never actually heard "uke" used to mean "to block". I've always used "uke" to mean the person receiving the technique, and "ukemi" refers to the body of techniques that person will use (mostly referring to falls and rolls, but also including delivering good attacks, etc.). At least one of those is probably a mistranslation, too. Mind you, we don't use a lot of Japanese in our training, so it may be more commonly used that way than my experience shows.
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KangTsai
2nd Black Belt
- Thread Starter
- #165
Nah, it just means blocking. We. Must. Be Accurate. Dangit.I'm not an expert, but I've ready elsewhere that makgi means to interrupt or forestall. So to your point, it doesn't really mean "block" per se. You're not blocking the opponent's attack, you're interrupting it.
The Japanese names of the "blocks"* in karate generally include the word "uke", as in "Jodan Uke" (upper block).
I think the literal translation is something closer to "receive", as in you are receiving the punch and handling it appropriately. For arts in the jujutsu family of course, uke is the person receiving the technique being demonstrated.
*(If you read enough threads in the Karate forums you will see there is considerable debate regarding the "correct" meaning and application of these techniques. Are they blocks, strikes, parries, grappling techniques hidden in the bunkai, all of the above, something else? Opinions vary widely.)
A lot of us just think they are there to be used in whichever way is the most effective at the time you need them.
Interesting. Both my Karate instructors (lo, those many years ago) used English names for everything.The Japanese names of the "blocks"* in karate generally include the word "uke", as in "Jodan Uke" (upper block).
I think the literal translation is something closer to "receive", as in you are receiving the punch and handling it appropriately. For arts in the jujutsu family of course, uke is the person receiving the technique being demonstrated.
*(If you read enough threads in the Karate forums you will see there is considerable debate regarding the "correct" meaning and application of these techniques. Are they blocks, strikes, parries, grappling techniques hidden in the bunkai, all of the above, something else? Opinions vary widely.)
I've always had them in Japanese too.
Finlay
Green Belt
OK
So here's another one what is the Korean equivalent of bunkai
So here's another one what is the Korean equivalent of bunkai
Metal
Green Belt
풀이 puri - explanation
That's what the KTA is using for "Taekwondo Poomsae Explanation".
andyjeffries
Senior Master
분해 - Boonhae (literally: interpretation)
Source: I asked my friend Master Jeong In-Choul (expert and author of multiple books on applying Taekwondo to the real world)
Martial D
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Can you translate Hyunas smash hit, Bubble Pop, in its entirety?
andyjeffries
Senior Master
I don't know what book you are referring to but Grandmaster Kang Ik-pil's book "The explanation of official Taekwondo poomsae II" is titled in Korean "태권도 공인품새 해설" (Taekwondo Kongin Poomsae Haeseol) means literally Taekwondo official-poomsae explanation/commentary/interpretation.
The equivalent word for Bunkai is definitely Boonhae. From my understanding those involved in creating the Kukkiwon poomsae have stated that there are no hidden applications beyond the movements present, so while the word is there, the hidden applications that people think of as Bunkai have no direct equivalent.
Metal
Green Belt
I'm referring to the "KTA Taekwondo Poomsae Application" (KTA 태권도 품새 풀이) book:
KTA 태권도 품새풀이 (QR)
Same publisher as the book from Kang Ik-Pil.
Anyway, as there are several words to say it in English there are also several ways to say it in Korean. Just like terms for techniques there may be several rights. ;-)
andyjeffries
Senior Master
Hahaha, you're right there ;-)
I think in this case though, Bunkai and Boonhae share the same Hanja.
Rough Rider
Green Belt
As part of my self-study, I'm translating our classroom commands that are only said in English, into Korean. At the end of each class, before we bow out, the instructor says "Turn around, kneel down, and fix your uniform."
I've got "Turn around" 뒤로 돌아 and "Fix your uniform" 도복단정. Can you help me out with "Kneel down"?
I've got "Turn around" 뒤로 돌아 and "Fix your uniform" 도복단정. Can you help me out with "Kneel down"?
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KangTsai
2nd Black Belt
- Thread Starter
- #180
"Fix your uniform" would be something like 도복정리, although I don't know if Korean classes say it at all. I don't know if they say 뒤로돌아 either, as it's informal and such commands would be said in noun form and not imperative. For kneel, it would probably be 무릅! or 무릅꿇어.
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