You bow in taekwondo to show respect and thanks: to your instructor, your seniors, your training partners and the dojang itself. Students bow when they enter and leave the training floor, at the start and end of class, before and after working with a partner, and before and after every sparring match. A Kukkiwon-style bow bends about 30 degrees at the waist with the eyes lowered; an ITF bow is shallower, about 15 degrees, with the eyes on the other person. This guide covers why taekwondo students bow, how to bow correctly, when to bow and when you don’t need to.
| Korean word | Gyeongnye (경례), also spelled kyungye or kyong ye |
|---|---|
| Command | Charyeot (attention), then gyeongnye (bow) |
| Kukkiwon / World Taekwondo bow | Feet together, bend about 30 degrees or more at the waist, head and eyes lowered |
| ITF bow | Heels together, bend about 15 degrees, eyes on the person; say “Taekwon” when bowing to a person |
| Main times to bow | Entering and leaving the dojang, start and end of class, to instructors and seniors, to partners, before and after sparring |
| Golden rule | Juniors bow first, and you always return a bow |
Meaning
Why do you bow in taekwondo?
The bow is taekwondo’s greeting and its way of saying thank you. When you bow to your instructor, you show respect for the person teaching you. When your instructor bows back, they return that respect. The bow is mutual: ITF protocol describes it as a sign of mutual respect, not submission to a senior.
A bow can mean several things depending on the moment: hello, thank you, “I’m ready,” “I understand” or “may I speak?” It also marks the line between everyday life and training. Bowing as you step onto the floor is a reminder to leave distractions at the door and focus.
Bowing is the first and most visible way students practice courtesy, the first of the five tenets of taekwondo. Respect for instructors and seniors also appears in the student oath and the 10 commandments of taekwondo.
How to
How to bow in taekwondo
Most schools teach the same basic steps. The angle and where you look depend on your style: Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo) or ITF.
- Stop and come to attention: stand up straight with your feet together. Kukkiwon schools bring the feet fully together; ITF schools put the heels together with the toes turned out in a V.
- Hands at your sides: arms hang naturally with the hands in loose fists or open with the fingers together, depending on your school. Put down anything you are holding.
- Bend from the waist: keep your back straight and bend forward from the hips. Dropping only your head is a nod, not a bow.
- Hold it briefly: pause at the bottom instead of bobbing. A junior holds the bow until the senior starts to straighten up.
- Come back up: return to attention, then move on.
Tip
New students rarely get the bow exactly right at first, and instructors expect that. Watch the senior students and copy what they do. Ask your instructor how low to bow and where to look, since schools differ.
Compare
Kukkiwon vs. ITF bow
The two main styles of taekwondo bow in different ways. Neither is wrong; follow the one your school uses.
| Detail | Kukkiwon / World Taekwondo | ITF |
|---|---|---|
| Starting position | Attention (charyeot), feet together | Attention (charyot sogi), heels together, feet in a V at about 45 degrees |
| Angle | About 30 degrees or more at the waist | About 15 degrees at the waist |
| Head and eyes | Head lowered, eyes down | Eyes on the person or object you bow to |
| Hands | At the sides, loose fists or open hands | Slightly away from the body, hands lightly closed |
| What you say | Usually nothing, or a greeting | “Taekwon” when bowing to a person, never to the flag |
| Who bows first | The junior | The junior; the senior bows in return |
In World Taekwondo competition, the standing bow starts from attention and bends the waist more than 30 degrees, with the head lowered further. Looking down shows trust in your partner. ITF schools keep their eyes up as a sign of awareness and readiness.
When
When to bow in taekwondo
Schools vary, but these are the most common times to bow. When in doubt, bow when your seniors bow.
Dojang
Entering and leaving
Bow toward the training floor, or toward the flags, each time you step on or off it.
Class
Opening and closing
The class bows to the flags and then to the instructor at the start and end of every session.
Sabeomnim
To your instructor
Bow when you greet your instructor, before you speak to them and after they answer a question or correct you.
Seniors
To seniors
Bow when you first meet a higher-ranked student in class. You don’t need to bow every time you pass them.
Partner
Before and after drills
Bow to your partner before and after one-step sparring, pad work or any partner exercise.
Gyeorugi
Before and after sparring
Bow to your opponent before the first exchange and again at the end, whatever the result.
Late
Arriving late
Wait at the edge of the floor at attention until the instructor sees you, then bow and join the back of the class.
Tests
Belt tests
Tests open and close with formal bows, and most schools have you bow to the examiners when you are called up.
If you’re new, see what to expect in your first classes in taekwondo for beginners.
Competition
Bowing in sparring and competition
In a World Taekwondo match, the referee calls both athletes to their marks, then commands “charyeot” (attention) and “gyeongnye” (bow). The athletes bow to each other, and the referee starts the match with “junbi” (ready) and “sijak” (begin). At the end of the last round, they bow to each other again on the same commands before the referee raises the winner’s hand.
ITF and other organizations use similar opening and closing bows. Bowing to an opponent after a loss is part of the sport; walking off without a bow is seen as poor conduct. For the full match procedure, see the taekwondo tournament rules, the referee’s commands and the taekwondo sparring guide.
Exceptions
When you don’t have to bow
- Outside the dojang: many schools don’t expect a bow when you meet a senior or instructor in everyday clothes. ITF protocol is stricter and asks juniors to greet seniors with a bow outside class too. Follow your school’s rule, and return any bow you receive.
- Informal events: at a school party or social event, many schools relax the bowing rules. Some still expect a bow whenever you are on the training floor.
- If you are the senior: seniors usually don’t start the bow, but they always return one. If a junior forgets to bow, a quiet reminder works better than bowing first.
- Between repetitions: in a drill, bow at the start and the end, not after every repetition.
Note
Bowing rules differ between organizations and schools. If your school’s rule differs from anything here, your school’s rule wins.
Flags
Bowing to the flags
Many schools hang the Korean flag next to the flag of their own country, and the class salutes both at the start and end of class. The salute honors taekwondo’s Korean roots and the country where you train. It is a sign of respect, not a political statement.
Schools salute the flags in different ways. Some bow. Others place the right hand over the heart, then return the hand to the side. ITF schools bow to the ITF flag and the portrait of General Choi Hong Hi, without saying “Taekwon,” since that word is only for people.
Korean
Bowing commands in Korean
| Command | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Charyeot (차렷) | Attention |
| Gyeongnye (경례) | Bow |
| Gukgi-e daehayeo gyeongnye (국기에 대하여 경례) | Salute the flag |
| Sabeomnim-kke gyeongnye (사범님께 경례) | Bow to the instructor |
| Charyot, kyong ye (ITF spelling) | Attention, bow |
| Taekwon (ITF) | Said while bowing to a person |
For more class commands, see taekwondo terminology.
Etiquette
Other etiquette that goes with the bow
- Take off your shoes before you step onto the training floor.
- Wear a clean dobok and keep your belt off the floor.
- Raise your hand and bow before asking your instructor a question.
- When a senior offers a handshake, ITF schools often shake with the left hand under the right elbow as an extra sign of respect.
- Don’t turn your back on a senior right after bowing; ITF protocol has juniors step back before turning away.
- Address instructors by title, such as sabeomnim or sir and ma’am.
Etiquette is one of the things to watch when you choose a taekwondo school. More common questions are answered in the taekwondo FAQ.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why do you bow in taekwondo?
Bowing shows respect and thanks to your instructor, your seniors, your training partners and the dojang. It is taekwondo’s greeting, and the person you bow to returns the respect by bowing back.
How do you bow in taekwondo?
Stand at attention with your feet together and your hands at your sides, then bend forward from the waist with a straight back, pause briefly and stand back up. Don’t just nod your head.
How low should you bow in taekwondo?
Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo schools bow about 30 degrees or more at the waist. ITF schools bow about 15 degrees. Follow the angle your instructor teaches.
Do you look down when you bow in taekwondo?
In Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo schools, yes: you lower your head and eyes. In ITF schools, you keep your eyes on the person you are bowing to.
What is the Korean word for bow in taekwondo?
Gyeongnye (경례), also spelled kyungye or kyong ye. The instructor usually calls charyeot (attention) first, then gyeongnye.
Do you have to bow outside the dojang?
It depends on the school. Many schools don’t expect a bow outside the training hall, while ITF protocol asks juniors to greet seniors with a bow there too. Always return a bow that is offered to you.
The short version
Taekwondo students bow to show respect and thanks. Bow when you enter and leave the dojang, at the start and end of class, to your instructor and seniors, and to your partner before and after drills and sparring. Kukkiwon schools bow about 30 degrees with the eyes down; ITF schools bow about 15 degrees with the eyes up. Juniors bow first, and you always return a bow.