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.

- N -

• Na means to seize or hold. The term is also used to describe a clockwise trap with a apear.
• Nan quan means southern fist. It is a style of Chinese martial art.
• Nan quan gong bu means southern fist bow step.
• Nan quan guai bu means southern fist turn step.
• Nan quan gui bu means southern fist knee step.
• Nan quan heng dang bu means southern fist horizontal crouching step.
• Nan quan hu dang bu means southern fist defensive crouching step.
• Nan quan hu wei tui means southern fist tiger's tail leg. This is a kicking technique.
• Nan quan shou fa means southern fist hand position.
• Nan quan shuang gong bu means southern fist double bow step.
• Nan quan tui fa means southern fist leg position.
• Nan quan zuo lian bu means southern fist cross legged sitting step.
• Nap sau is the Chow gar term for hooking hand.
• Ne gee ma is a Fut gar term meaning lady horse or lady cross stance. (1)
• Nei means internal.
• Nei cuo means internal file. It is a term used for one of the basic straight sword techniques of Taiji quan.
• Nei gai means internal cover. It is a term used for one of the basic straight sword techniques of Taiji quan.
• Nei jiao means internal wrap. It is a term used for one of the basic straight sword techniques of Taiji quan.
• Nei jia quan means internal family fist/boxing.
• Nei jie means internal intercept. It is a term used for one of the basic straight sword techniques of Taiji quan.
• Nei le means internal draw back. It is a term used for one of the basic straight sword techniques of Taiji quan.
• Nei san he means internal three integration. The three are heart and will integration, will and qi integration, and qi and strength integration.
• Nei shang tiao means internal pluck. It is a term used for one of the basic straight sword techniques of Taiji quan.
• Nei xia lan means low internal hinder. It is a term used for one of the basic straight sword techniques of Taiji quan.
• Nei zhong lan means internal hinder. It is a term used for one of the basic straight sword techniques of Taiji quan.
• Neu means to twist.
• Ng, (Cantonese), means five.
• Ng Dim Mui Fa Bot Gua Guen means Five Point Plum Blossom Eight Trigrams staff form. It is a Choy Li Fut style single ended staff routine. Single ended means that both hands are held at one end of the pole.
• Ng Fa Pow means Five Leopard Fist. It is an Eagle Claw style routine.
• Ng fu chueng means Five Tiger Spear. It is a form in the Eagle Claw style.
• Ng hung kwun is a Chow gar weapon routine meaning five element pole form.
• Ngo cho means five ancestors. It is a Chinese kung-fu style from Fukien province. The style was founded by Chua Giok Beng (1853-?) by combining Lohan, Pe Ho, Tai Cho, Ta Sien, and Tat Chun techniques.
• Nian means to cling to something.
• Nie means to pinch or to knead with the fingers.
• Nien means to stick to or to cling to something.
• Noi moon, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term meaning inside gate.
• Nu means jade.
• Nu means a crossbow.
• Nuk sau, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term meaning freehand fighting practice or sparring.
• Ngo kok kuen is a Shaolin Fut gar term meaning tip of bull horn fist. (1)
• Nuo means to remove something.

Sources of information

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