도장
dojang[to̞d͡ʑa̠ŋ]
The English word 'dojo' is translated into Korean as 도장 (dojang).
Meaning: training facility in martial arts (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
dojang
Did you know?
- The word 도장 is a homonym that also means 'seal' or 'stamp'. In Korea, many people still use these personal stamps instead of a handwritten signature on official documents.
- In a Korean 도장, it is customary to bow not only to the instructor but also to the room itself upon entering and leaving as a sign of respect for the training space.
- In its Sino-Korean form 道場, the term literally translates to 'place of the way'. This connects the physical training facility to the philosophical pursuit of a 'way' or 'path', such as in 'Taekwondo'.
Examples in context
- 나도 도장에 다니면서 태권도를 배워.I am learning Taekwondo while going to a dojo.
- 새로 만든 도장이 정말 넓어요.saero mandeun dojang-i jeongmal neolbeoyo.The new dojo is really spacious.
- 우리 도장은 집 근처에 있어요.uri dojang-eun jip geuncheoe isseoyo.Our dojo is near my house.
- 태권도 도장에 가고 싶어요.taegwondo dojang-e gago sipeoyo.I want to go to the Taekwondo dojo.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨는 도장에 다녀요?Minji-ssineun dojang-e danyeoyo?Minji, do you go to a dojo?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 유도 도장에 다녀요.Ne, yudo dojang-e danyeoyo.Yes, I go to a Judo dojo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 멋진 취미네요!Jeongmal meotjin chwimineyo!That is a really cool hobby!
- 민지 Min-ji고마워요, 현우 씨도 해보세요.Gomawoyo, Hyunwoo-ssido haeboseyo.Thanks, you should try it too, Hyunwoo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dojo” translations and entries 도장, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 도장, CC BY-SA 4.0.
