Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your practice, understanding the key terminology, stances, jump kicks, and forms is essential for building a solid foundation. In this post, we’ll go over some of the most common terms used in Kung Fu, both in English and Chinese, with helpful Pinyin pronunciation.

 

Basics Terminology (基础术语): 

Terminology	PinYin	Chinese
Martial Arts	WuShu	武术
Kung Fu	Gong Fu	功夫
Tai Chi	Tai Ji	太极
Kick	Ti	踢
Punch	Quan	拳
Block	Dang	挡

Basics Commands (基础命令): 

Command	PinYin	Chinese
Coach	Jiao Lian	教练
Begin Class	Shang Ke	上课
Attention	Li Zheng	立正
Salute (Bow)	Jing Li	敬礼
Get Ready	Yu Bei	预备
Start	Kai Shi	开始
Stop	Ting	停
End of Class	Xia Ke	下课

Basics Kung Fu Stances (基本功夫步型)

Stance	PinYin	Chinese
Horse Stance	Ma Bu	馬步
Bow Stance	Gong Bu	弓步
Drop Stance	Pu Bu	扑步
Cat/Empty Stance	Xu Bu	虚步
Resting Stance	Xie Bu	歇步
60-40	Si Liu Bu	四六步
Nail Stance	Ding Bu	丁步
Kneeling Stance	Gui Bu	跪步
Single Leg Stance	Du Li Bu	独立步

Basics Stretch Kicks:

Stretch Kick	PinYin	Chinese
Front Stretch Kick	Zheng Ti Tui	正踢腿
Cross Stretch Kick	XIe Ti Tui	斜踢腿
Inside Stretch Kick	Li He Tui	里合腿
Outside Stretch Kick	Wai Bai Tui	外摆腿
Side Stretch Kick	Ce Ti Tui	侧踢腿
Back Stretch Kick	Hou Ti Tui	后踢腿
Marching Kick	Pai Jiao	拍脚

Basics Wushu Jump Kicks:

Jump Kick	PinYin	Chinese
Jump Front Kick	Er Chi Jiao	二起脚
Flying Front Kick	Teng Kong Fei Jiao	腾空飞脚
Lotus Kick	Wai Bai Lian	外摆莲
Back and front sweeps	Qian Hou Sao	前后扫
Tornado Kick	Xuan Feng Jiao	旋风脚
Butterfly Kick	Xuan Zi	旋子
Aerial	Ce Kong Fan	侧空翻

Shaolin Forms (少林套路, Shaolin TaoLu) :

Form	PinYin	Chinese
Five Stances Form	Wu Bu Quan	五步拳
Chain Fist Form	Lian Huan Quan	连环拳
Eight-Step Chain Fist Form	Ba Bu Lian Huan Quan	八步连环拳
Basic Arhat Form	Luo Han Quan	基本罗汉拳
Wushu Long Fist	Wu Shu Zhang Quan	武术长拳
Penetrating Arm Form	Tong Bei	通臂拳
Seven Stars Form	Qi Xing	七星拳
Small Flood Form	Xiao Hong Quan	小洪拳
Big Flood Form	Da Hong Quan	大洪拳
Arhat Form	Luo Han Quan	罗汉拳
Guard Heart and Mind Form	Chang Hu Xin Yi Men	长护心意门
Explosive Fist Form	Pao Quan	炮拳
Emperor Long Fist	Tai Zu Chang Quan	太祖长拳
Yin Hand Staff	Yin Shou Gun	阴手棍
Plum Blossom Single Broad Sword Form	Mei Hua Dan Dao	梅花单刀
Dharma Straight Sword Form	Da Mo Jian	达摩剑

 

Basic Weapons:

Weapon	PinYin	Chinese
Shaolin Staff	Shaolin Gun	少林棍
Straight Sword	Jian	剑
Broad Sword	Dao	刀
Fan	Shan	扇
Spear	Qiang	枪
Guandao	Guan Dao	关刀
Nunchuck	Shuang Jie Gun	双截棍
9 Section Chain Whip	Jiu Jie Bian	九节鞭

In Conclusion

Whether you’re practicing Kung Fu or Tai Chi, understanding the terminology, stances, jump kicks, and forms is an essential part of your martial arts journey. The beauty of these practices lies not only in the techniques themselves but in how they contribute to personal growth, mental clarity, and physical well-being.

We hope this guide helps you feel more confident as you begin to learn and develop your skills in martial arts. As always, remember to take things one step at a time—focus on your form, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Stay tuned for more posts with tips, tricks, and deeper dives into martial arts techniques. And if you have any questions or want to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment below!