what is the difference between taekwondo and karate?

I'm sure that the differences is very less compared to that of Karate. I know about taekwondo from a friend of mine who takes the lessons. Taekwondo simply means something like using both arms and legs to do martial arts. It just involves the limbs and basic attacks- nothing complicated. It was started just as a demonstration of power. As far as I know, taekwondo came around during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The actual traditional Korean martial arts were not very similar to modern taekwondo and these got banned during this time. But these Japs had no problems with Koreans learning their arts. So naturally people went for Karate. When the occupation ended, Korean martial arts came back in Korea, but the masters of the true Korean martial arts were very few. So taekwondo took birth- from native Korean martial arts with influences from Japanese Karate- actually, the art was almost entirely based upon karate. So there are more of similarities. And the basic difference is that, this new martial art is something like an 'art'. Not employing violent combating technique like Karate. Forgive me for any mistakes- I do not know very well about Karate. Happy mylotting. Regards, Ajith.

While their use of similar uniforms and belts is obvious the use of arms and legs is where the difference lies. In Karate the use of the arms is 60% and the legs is 40%. In Tae Kwon Do the use is just the opposite is 40% use of the arms and 60% of the legs. It is interesting to observe.

youless, To simplify for you, I think you can note the difference in both forms of martial arts. TaeKwanDo or TaeKwonDo is true to its name where their form emphasizes on the use of Leg to strike (Tae) and Hand to strike (Kwon). The art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm). As such, you can see many forms and high emphasis of kicking techniques like Crescent Kick, Back Spin Kick, Roundhouse Kick and many forms of flying kicks which can be executed either from a stance or on the move. Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks. In Karate, which has its origins from China - the forms are more rigid and simplified. Their forms has more emphasis on the use of hands to strike and defend while their kicks are very much basic and simple. Basically, front, side and back to complement their various attacks and defense. I am sure you can see from their forms (katas) you can see that they are quite similar to the Chinese martial arts from the South which heavily emphasize on firm stance and fist delivery from the stance. As to determine which is more powerful or the better of the two, I do not think we can actually differentiate or match up. Being martial arts, a lot will depend on each school's practitioner, where each will have their strong attributes and weaknesses. The one that knows how to work on their weaknesses and make up for it will be the victor in a match up.

i think taekwondo is the art of the foot and fist or simply kicking and punching while karate is a striking art using kicking and punching, knee and elbow strikes and open handed techniques other techniques also include grappling, locks,restraint, throws and vital point strikes either of the two i think is powerful according to your knowledge and training but for me i like the karate better coz it includes more techniques than taekwondo

As far as I know, taekwondo is a kind of boxing involving the use of both fists and feet,but it puts feet first which accounts for 70%.karate is also called "Tang hand" which mixes a lot of Chinese martial arts . Fists,feet,knees,elbows and wrestle are all used in karate,they say that It takes hands as main way.

i usually c the m both on screens chines and Japanese Koreans fighting with them i cant differentiate so i cant know wht is powerful to the other help get me the difference i want to live knowing the answer to any one who might ask me in the near future

I think taekwondo is more updated and advanced version of karate. They do look alot alike but they are more advanced moves.

I don't really know the difference. I've never taken karate but I have taken taekwondo. It was pretty fun. I did well but couldn't afford to pay the price they wanted for the spar matches to up myself in the colored belts. My instructor told me my legs should be on the cover of Sports Illustrated LOL Marsha

I used to practice karate and my instructor once told me that the main difference is that taekwondo uses their foot for attacking in about 70% of the times and their hands/fist for only 30%. Whereas karate uses both feet and hands with the same percentage 50/50.