Walking into your first Muay Thai class can feel like stepping into a different world — especially when your instructor starts calling out techniques in Thai. Don't worry! You won't be expected to memorize a dictionary overnight. At our beginner classes, we introduce terminology gradually, focusing on the words you'll actually use as you build your foundation.
This guide covers the essential terms you'll encounter in your first few weeks. Think of it as your cheat sheet for sounding like you know what you're doing (even when you're still figuring out your left from your right).
The Four Basic Punches
These are your bread and butter. You'll throw hundreds of these in your first month, so let's get the names down.
Jab — Mat Aeh (หมัดแย็บ)
Pronunciation: maht yaehp
Your lead hand straight punch. Quick, snappy, and the setup for almost everything else. Think of it as your "hello" — it's how you get someone's attention before the real conversation starts.
Cross — Mat Twang (หมัดตรง)
Pronunciation: maht dtrong
Your rear hand straight punch. "Twang" literally means "straight" — simple enough, right? This is your power punch, thrown straight down the pipe.
Hook — Mat Sawng (หมัดฮุค) or Mat Kwang (หมัดเหวี่ยง)
Pronunciation: maht sawng / maht kwahng
A circular punch that comes around the side. "Kwang" means "to swing" — which is exactly what your arm does. This one feels satisfying when you get the rotation right.
Uppercut — Mat Soh (หมัดเสย)
Pronunciation: maht sǒie (rhymes with "boy")
The upward punch that comes from below. "Soh" means to scoop or swing up — picture scooping ice cream, but with more hip rotation and less dairy.
Kicks: The Art of Eight Limbs
Muay Thai is called "the art of eight limbs" because you strike with fists, elbows, knees, and shins. For beginners, we focus on two essential kicks:
Teep — Thip (ถีบ)
Pronunciation: tǐip (rhymes with "beep")
The push kick — your defensive weapon. Use it to keep distance, disrupt your partner's rhythm, or create space when things get too close. Think of it as a "get back" button. Front teep uses your lead leg; rear teep uses your back leg.
Roundhouse Kick — Dtae Tad (เตะตัด) or simply Dtae (เตะ)
Pronunciation: dtǎe dtàt / dtǎe
The signature Muay Thai kick. "Dtae" means kick; "tad" means to cut or slice. You're essentially swinging your shin like a baseball bat. Don't worry — you'll start slow and build up. The satisfying "thwack" of a well-landed roundhouse on pads is worth every minute of practice.
The Clinch — Chap Kho (จับคอ)
Pronunciation: jàp kaw (literally "grab neck")
The clinch is Muay Thai's standing grappling range — where you control your partner's head and upper body to set up knees or off-balance them. Beginners typically start learning clinch work after a few weeks of fundamentals, so don't stress if this feels foreign at first. You'll hear "chap kho" when your instructor wants you to practice this close-range work.
The People on the Mats
Kru — Kruu (ครู)
Pronunciation: krǔu (rhymes with "blue")
Your teacher or instructor. "Kru" means teacher in Thai and carries respect. At our gym, our krus are patient, experienced, and genuinely excited to help beginners fall in love with the sport. Don't be shy about asking questions — that's what they're there for.
Pad Holder
The person holding the focus mitts or Thai pads for you to hit. In partner drills, you'll take turns being the striker and the pad holder. When holding pads, your job is to give your partner a good target and feedback. When striking, your job is to make your pad holder look good — hit the targets they're presenting!
Counting in Thai
You'll hear counting during warm-ups, drills, and conditioning. Here's what your kru is saying:
| Number | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neung | nǔng |
| 2 | Sawng | sǒng |
| 3 | Saam | sǎahm |
| 4 | See | sěe |
| 5 | Haa | hǎah |
| 6 | Hok | hòk |
| 7 | Jet | jèt |
| 8 | Pad | bpàat |
| 9 | Kao | gǎo |
| 10 | Sip | sìp |
Pro tip: Don't stress about perfect pronunciation. Your kru will understand you, and the more you hear the terms in class, the more natural they'll become. Focus on the movement first — the vocabulary will follow.
Ready to Put These Terms into Practice?
Knowing the terminology is just the beginning. The real learning happens when you step onto the mats and start moving. At Sabai Muay Thai Kallang, we specialize in making that first step as welcoming as possible.
Our beginner classes are designed specifically for people who've never thrown a punch in their lives. We introduce techniques gradually, explain every term as we go, and create an environment where questions are encouraged — never judged.
Whether you're looking to get fit, build confidence, or try something completely new, you'll find your place here. No Thai language skills required — just show up ready to learn.
Ready to start your Muay Thai journey?
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