Kung Fu Terminology – Key Words & Commands

This page looks at Kung Fu terminology. It explores many of the basic Chinese words, terms and commands used in Kung Fu. For other martial arts words & commands (i.e. Japanese used in Karate), please visit the main Martial Arts Terminology section.

Related Pages

Important Kung Fu Words & Commands

  • Begin – Kai Shi (pinyin: kāishǐ, simplified chinese: 开始)
  • Block – Kwa
  • Bow – Kow Tow (pinyin: kòutóu, simplified chinese: 叩头)
  • Cheers (when drinking/celebrating) – Gan Bei (sounds like Gan Bay)
  • Dodge – Seen
  • Ear – Erduo
  • Eye – Yan Jing
  • Foot – Jiao
  • Form or Routine – Taolu (pinyin: tàolù, simplified chinese: 套路). The first syllable “tao” should not be confused with “dao” which has different meaning, pronunciation and chinese written character
  • Good – Hao (sounds like How). Very good is Hěn Hǎo (Hung How) and not good is Bù Hǎo (Boo How).
  • Goodbye – Zai Jian (pinyin: zàijiàn, simplified chinese: 再见)
  • Grab – Fong
  • Head – Tou
  • Hello – Ni Hao (pinyin: nǐ hǎo, simplified chinese: 你好). Sounds like Nee How.

 

  • How Are You? – Ni Hao Ma
  • I – Wa
  • Instructor – Jiaolian (pinyin: jiàoliàn, simplified chinese: 教练)
  • Kick – Ti (pinyin: tī, simplified chinese: 踢). Not to be confused with 腿 (pinyin: tuǐ) which means leg or foot
  • Kung Fu School – Kwoon or Wu Guan
  • Lateral Stomp Kick – Ce Chuai Tui
  • Leg – Tui
  • Life Force – Qi or Chi (pinyin: qì, simplified chinese: 气)
  • Master – Shifu (pinyin: Shīfu, simplified chinese: 师父)
  • Neck – Bo Zi
  • No – Bù (Boo)
  • Nose – Bi Zi
  • Not Good – Bù Hǎo (Boo How)
  • Punch – Quan
  • Roundhouse Kick – Bian Tui (whipping leg kick)
  • Salute – Gen Lai
  • Side Kick – Ce Ti Tui
  • Stomach (Belly) – Du Zi
  • Student – Tu Di (túdì, 徒弟)
  • Thank You – Xie Xie
  • Very Good – Hěn Hǎo (Hung How)
  • You – Ni or Nee
  • You Are Welcome – Bu-ke-qi (literally means don’t act like a guest)

Wing Chun Kung Fu Terminology

References

  1. Wudang Kung Fu Bucuresti, http://www.wdkf.ro | https://www.facebook.com/wdkf.ro