The David Brent Wolfe Dictionary of

Chinese Martial Art Terms

When possible, terms are given in Mandarin (Hanyu) pinyin spelling. The older spelling of the Wade Giles method is used when it is the more commonly known version. For some terms the most common version is given in Cantonese or Hakka.

- K -

• Ka lun is the Chow gar term for cross step.
• Kan means cutting, chop, or hack. It is also the name one of thirteen basic Taiji quan broadsword techniques. Additionaly, it is used as the name of one of the basic straight sword techniques in Taiji quan.
• Kan means looking.
• Kao means to lean or shoulder stroke. It is a corner power in Taiji quan.
• Kao Kun means Monkey Boxing. This style utilizes agile body movement to evade the opponent's attacks by using low squatting stances and jumping. The style includes an emphasis on grabbing, clawing, and palm striking as offensive actions. This style was one of the ancestor styles of Ngo Cho, five ancestor, style. The monkey style is sometimes known as Ta Sien, Great Ancestor style.
• Kar sik, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for their pre-fighting posture.
• Ke means to overcome, to restrain, or to subdue.
• Kou means to grasp.
• Kin gung means light body. It is the skill of moving lightly.
• Kong means to empty. It is a Taiji quan skill.
• Kong Chow means Small Cross. It is an empty handed Choy Li Fut style routine.
• Kong men quan means Kong style fist. It is a style of Chinese martial art.
• Kong su means to complain.
• Koon ji fook fu means tempting the tiger. It is an empty handed routine taught in the Hung-gar style.
• Kou means hook.
• Kou means to tuck in.
• Kou bu means hook stance or hooking in step.
• Koy moon means opening the door. It is one of the Northern Shaolin empty hand routines that form the Ten Hand Sets.
• Kua means the inguinal crease or the fold on the inside of the hip joint.
• Kua means to ride.
• Kua means to carry on the arm.
• Kua means stride. It is one of xing yi's eight fundamental skills.
• Kua bo, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for plucking steps or circle steps.
• Kua bu means stride step.
• Kua gerk, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for a half moon kick.
• Kua sau, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for circling block.
• Kuan Yeung Kuan means shepard staff form. It is a form taught in the Eagle Claw style.
• Kuen, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for fist or fist fighting.
• Kuen means form. A form is a predetermined sequence of movements that allow people to learn techniques. It is also spelled as guen.
• Kuen to, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for routines or forms.
• Kui sau, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for bridge arm.
• Kum na means to catch and grab. It is the name of a routine in the Black Tiger style.
• Kung means hard work or energy.
• Kung fu means energy time. In and by itself, it has no connection, as a phrase, to Chinese martial arts. It relates as a term to anything that takes time and energy to learn or get skillful at doing.
• Kung gee fook fu is a Hung gar empty hand routine meaning taming the tiger.
• Kung Lek Kune means power fist form. It is a form taught in the Eagle Claw style.
• Kun wu jian is the name of a Taiji quan straight sword routine.
• Kuo sau, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for sparring practice or fighting practice.
• Kuoshu means national art refering to Chinese martial arts.
• Kwa means upward block.
• Kwa kuen is a Shaolin Fut gar term meaning back fist. (1)
• Kwan do is a Chow gar weapon form meaning Kwan's weapon form.
• Kwoon is a Shaolin Fut gar term meaning a school. (1)
• Kwun ma, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for pole stance.
• Kwun sau, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term for a rolling or rotating block.

Sources of information

1. Suggested by Mrs. Jay Acdan in an email dated 13 March 2004.