跆

A phono-semantic compound:

足 (foot) — indicates actions involving stepping or foot pressure (semantic component)

台 (platform; base) — supplies pronunciation and the notion of a surface or base (phonetic component)

The original sense is placing the foot firmly onto something, emphasizing contact and pressure, rather than striking motion.

Core meanings:

- to tread on

- to step firmly

- to trample

- to oppress (figurative, literary)

跆 is rare in everyday Korean, but survives prominently in 태권도 (taekwondo), where it carries the symbolic meaning of foot technique and grounded power.

태압 (跆壓) — treading down; oppression (literary)

태답 (跆踏) — trampling (rare, classical)

태권도 (跆拳道) — taekwondo (the way of foot-treading and fist)

跆 preserved mainly in technical, martial, and philosophical contexts.

In 태권도 (taekwondo):

跆 — footwork, stepping, treading, kicking

拳 — fist

道 — way, discipline

跆 here does not mean merely “kick,” but controlled foot technique, grounding, balance, and dominance through stance.

Comparison with similar characters:

跆 — tread (downward pressure, control)

踏 — step on (neutral stepping)

蹴 — kick (outward striking force)

踢 — kick (colloquial, less formal)

履 — tread (ceremonial or formal)

Related characters (semantic field):

足 — foot

踏 — to step on

蹴 — to kick

踐 — to trample

履 — to tread; footwear

Classical-style citations:

Philosophical / moral metaphor

「 君子不跆人之短」

“The noble man does not trample upon the weaknesses of others.”

Here, 跆 conveys moral oppression rather than physical action.

Martial context

「 跆而立，勢自穩」

“By firm treading, one stands; from this, stability arises.”

This aligns closely with martial arts philosophy.

Occasionally replaced by 踏 in later texts.