When you have decided to start Martial art classes and you have narrowed your choices down to Taekwondo or Karate, you may be asking yourself, how is Taekwondo different then Karate? Which is better to learn?
Both Taekwondo and Karate are practical in situations against an untrained attacker, but techniques used in Karate can be more practical. Many combinations in TaeKwonDo depend on jumping and spinning kicks, while certain aspects of Karate have simpler effective strikes that have a less margin of error.
This article breaks down the six key differences I see between Karate and Taekwondo, covering everything from their origins and philosophies to their techniques and training methods, to help you decide which style is the best fit for you.
6 Ways Taekwondo is Different Then Karate
1. Historical Origins: Karate’s Roots in Okinawa vs. Taekwondo’s Korean Heritage
TaeKwondo
Taekwondo originated in Korea, evolving from various martial arts traditions. It emphasizes kicking techniques and is known for its fast, powerful, and often graceful movements. While punches and blocks are also taught, kicking is the primary focus. For a more Indepth look at the history of Taekwondo, check out this post I wrote.
Karate
Karate’s origins can be traced to Okinawa, Japan. It prioritizes hand strikes, including punches, elbow strikes, and knee strikes, although kicking techniques are also part of the curriculum. Karate movements are often described as direct and decisive. Like Taekwondo, Karate also incorporates blocking techniques and, in some styles, takedowns.
2. Philosophical Foundations: Budo in Karate vs. the “Do” in Taekwondo
TaeKwondo
The generally accepted translation of Taekwondo is “the art (Do) of foot(Tae) and fist(Kwon). According to the Korean language, “Do” signifies the philosophical approach to a way of life, a type of pathway to achieve enlightenment. The students of Taekwondo, through tough physical, mental as well as spiritual training, intend to improve themselves in every class and every day.
At the center of TaeKwonDo is the concept of Yin and Yang and this symbolizes the interaction of opposing forces in nature. Harmony and balance are achieved when these opposing forces are distributed equally, a this will allow a way for one to rid oneself of ego
Karate
Karate’s philosophy is rooted in Budo, the martial ways of Japan. The term “Karate” means “empty hand,” reflecting the concept of emptying the mind of negative thoughts and desires. Karate emphasizes not just physical prowess but also character development, discipline, and the pursuit of perfection. The ultimate goal in Karate is not simply to win, but to cultivate a strong body and mind.
3. Forms: Poomsae in Taekwondo vs. Kata in Karate
Before I get into the differences, let me just add that regardless of which form you practice, you must make sure you repeat them over and over and most importantly that you learn to do them correctly. This will make sure that the movements will be ingrained in your memory and will vastly improve your skills including the angles, snaps and power.
TaeKwonDo
Taekwondo Poomsae are designed to be practiced with the mindset of facing an opponent. They combine offensive and defensive techniques, each form representing a specific set of skills and having its own unique meaning. They are crucial for belt rank progression and demonstrating mastery of techniques.
Karate
A Kata in Karate contains all the basic and fundamental movements within its system. The basic function of kata is and was to teach students these exact techniques. Each technique is done in a specific manner. In Karate, the kata (the Japanese version of forms) holds all of the basic techniques of the system. These floor patterns, allow the kata to be done within confined space and has little to do with attacks from different directions.
According to present day Okinawan masters, kata represents fighting a single opponent and the development of kata allows one to practice techniques without the fear of injury to an opponent. Historically, this was important because if someone was injured, they or the family was allowed to seek revenge. (ouch!)
4. Hand Techniques: Emphasis on Strikes in Karate vs. Growing Focus in Taekwondo
TaeKwondo
With modern day TaeKwonDo and its movement towards a more sports oriented martial art, hand movements and punches have taken even more of backseat to kicks. One of the reasons for this is because in tournaments, like the Olympics for example, it makes it difficult if not impossible to score with any type of hand technique and therefore it has tended to go away from the more traditional TaeKwonDo style which used many of the same hand styles as Karate.
Karate
On the other hand (get it?), Karate uses punches more frequently and often includes knee and elbow strikes. Karate punches include such strikes as reverse, jabbing, back fist and lunge punching. A typical and fundamental combination would go something like a thrust punch, and then a back fist followed up an elbow strike.
5. Kicking Techniques: High and Fast in Taekwondo vs. Powerful and Varied in Karate
TaeKwonDo
Kicks in Taekwondo are meant to be fast. They are smooth, efficient and high, just what is needed for competition. The kick that is most often used for this is the roundhouse kick, however, even within Taekwondo, there are differences in the way some kicks like these are performed. The basic TaeKwonDo Kicks would include:
- Front Kick: A straight kick aimed at the opponent’s midsection or face.
- Turning Kick: A kick that rotates the body, striking with the instep or ball of the foot.
- Side Kick: A powerful kick delivered with the blade of the foot.
- Back Kick: A kick delivered backward, often used as a counter-attack.
Karate
Karate kicks are often delivered with less emphasis on extreme height, focusing instead on power and precision. While high kicks are present in some styles, many Karate kicks target lower areas, emphasizing stability and generating force from the core. Karate kicks include the front kick, roundhouse kick, knee strike, and crescent kick.
- Front Kick: Similar to Taekwondo, but often with a greater emphasis on driving force.
- Round House Kick: Also similar but may have variations in foot position and target area.
- Knee Strike: A close-range technique using the knee as a striking weapon.
- Crescent Kick: A circular kick that can be used to target the head or body.
6. Weapons Training: Limited in Sport Taekwondo vs. Integral to Karate (and some Taekwondo styles)
TaeKwondo
Where Karate and TaeKwonDo really seem to go in different directions is when it comes to Weapons. In the years that I have taken World TaeKwonDo, I cannot remember a day in which any type of weapon was introduced.
At first, I thought that perhaps my particular school just did not train their students in this aspect of training, but I came to learn that in TaeKwonDo there is basically no weapons learning at all with the only exception being, some ATA schools, where there may be a weapon taught at the school, but it depends on school to school.
Karate
Weapons training, known as Kobudo, is an important part of many Karate styles, particularly those with Okinawan roots. Common weapons include the bo staff, nunchaku, sai, and kama. Training with these weapons develops coordination, focus, and an understanding of weapon-based combat principles. Initially, training often uses padded weapons for safety before progressing to more traditional implements.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Martial Art for You
Both Karate and Taekwondo offer valuable physical and mental benefits. Karate emphasizes a balance of hand and foot techniques, with a strong focus on self-defense and character development. Taekwondo, especially in its sport form, is known for its dynamic kicking techniques and athleticism. The best choice for you depends on your personal goals and preferences.
Consider what aspects of martial arts appeal to you most – whether it’s the emphasis on striking, the focus on kicking, the philosophical underpinnings, or the inclusion of weapons training (in certain styles). Visiting local dojos or studios and trying introductory classes can also be a helpful way to experience the different styles firsthand.