Tuesday 15 January 2008

跆拳道 – tái quán dào – Taekwondo


The first character 跆, tái means to destroy with the feet! (I hope that’s not a word you’ll need very often.)

The second character 拳, quán means fist.

The third character 道, dào means way.

So, Taekwondo is literally the way of destroying with the feet and fists.

tái is pronounced tie with a 2nd or rising tone.

quán is pronounced chuan also with a 2nd or rising tone.

dào is pronounced to rhyme with ow, with a 4th or falling tone.