Kihap
기합
Combat shout in Korean arts, the counterpart of the Japanese kiai with the same characters (氣合). It tightens the body during a strike and focuses power.
Quick Facts
Term typeEtiquette and ceremony
LanguageKorean
Formnoun
Pronunciation[kee-hahp]
Alternative Namesbattle cry
Readings and romanizations
Revised Romanizationgihap
McCune–Reischauerkihap
Word breakdown
氣 (기)gienergy, spirit
合 (합)hapunion
Definition
Kihap (기합, 氣合) is the Korean reading of the same characters as the Japanese kiai: gi (energy) and hap (union). It is a short loud shout during a punch, kick or breaking. Exhaling with the shout tightens the abdominal muscles and trunk at the moment of one's own strike and when taking a hit. It also aids concentration and can startle the opponent. In taekwondo the kihap sounds at prescribed points of poomsae and teul forms.