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.

- W -

• Wah means sliding. It is one of the thirteen Taiji quan broadsword techniques.
• Wah K'un is a northern Chinese martial art style. It is a long range method of fighting emphasizing kicking. There are twelve routines in the style which can be done indivdually or as paired routines with another individual. The teachings of this style include joint locking techniques and throwing techniques. The most well known instructor in this style in the Republic of China is Choy Lung Wun.
• Wai means external.
• Wai cuo means external file. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Wai gai means external cover. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Wai jiao means external wrap. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Wai jie means external intercept. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Wai shang tiao means external pluck. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Wai xia lan means low external block. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Wai zhong lan means external block. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Wang Lang was the individual credited with founding the Preying/Praying Mantis boxing style about 400 years ago.
• Wei san he means external three integration. The three are shoulders and hips integration, knees and elbows integration, and hands and feet integration.
• Wen jian means scholar's sword. It is shorter and lighter than a martial sword, wu jian.
• Wen ru san means as steady as a mountain.
• Wenwu means the civil and martial virtues.
• Wing chun is Cantonese for eternal spring or springtime. In Mandarin, it is Yong chun. It is a southern Chinese close in fighting style.
• Wo means to grasp. This term is also sometimes used for the name of the handle on a short weapon.
• Wong au is a Chow gar weapon routine meaning yellow cow pole form.
• Wong jung chai is a Shaolin Fut gar term meaning twisting sledge hammer punch. (1)
• Woo dip dow is a Chow gar weapon routine meaning butterfly knives form.
• Wo quan means to clench the fist.
• Wu means five.
• Wu means martial. It is made up of two characters; Zhi means to stop, and Ge meaning dagger axe. Therefore, the meaning of stopping the dagger axe, ie. stopping the fighting.
• Wu was a Chinese dynasty that ruled from 222 B.C.E. to 280 C.E.
• Wubeizhi is a martial art text containing material on Fujian white crane and luohan quan which originated in the Fuzhou area. Patrick McCarthy has published an English translation of it called Bubishi: The bible of karate in 1995. Mabuni Kenwa did a Japanese translation in the 1920's and Otsuka Tadahiko did another Japanese translation in 1986 called Okinawa den Bubishi.
• Wubu means five steps as used in taiji quan. The five steps are: jinbu, tuibu, zoubu, youpan, and zhongding.
• Wu chu chuan means Five Ancestor Fist. A Shaolin monk called Cheuh Yuan is credited with founding this style during the 16th century C.E.
• Wudang is a mountain located in the Fubei Province of China. It is a famous martail arts location.
• Wudang jian means Wudang sword. Many famous sword fighters came from the Wudang mountain area.
• Wu gou jian means Wu hooked sword. It is a hooked sword designed to catch and cut enemies' arms and legs after blocking an attack. It was invented during the Wu dynasty.
• Wu jian means martial sword. It is longer and heavier than the scholar sword, wen jian.
• Wuji means no extremity. It is the time before differentation between yin and yang.
• Wun hop kuen do is the kung-fu style founded by Al Dacascos in the United States.
• Wuqinxi means five animals playing. These are a series of exercises created by Hua Tuo based on the ape, the bear, the bird, the deer, and the tiger. The exercises were said to stimulate the appetite and limber up the body.
• Wu sau, (Cantonese), is a Wing Chun term meaning protective arm or rear guard arm.
• Wu seng means martial monks.
• Wushu means military or martial technique. Chinese military arts trace their origin back to the pre-historical times of the legendary Yellow Emperor fighting against tribal warriors under the command of Chi You. The period of the Zhou Dynasty (about 11th century to 221 B.C.E) has records indicating the usage of ganqiwu, axe and shield, wrestling, archery, chariot racing, and sword play.
• Wu shu dui lian means martial technique sparring.
• Wu shu jia means a martial artist.
• Wu shu jian shen means martial technique body building.
• Wu shu ji ben gong means martial technique fundamentals.
• Wu shu qi xie means a weapon.
• Wu xing means five elements. The five elements are: water, fire, wood, metal, and earth.
• Wu xing quan means five form boxing. The five forms being: pi, chop; zuan, drill; beng, punch; pao, cannon; and heng meaning sweep.
• Wu wei means not doing or doing nothing to accomplish everything.
• Wu yi means skill in martial arts.
• Wuzu quan means five ancestor fist. It is also known as ngo cho chuan. It is a Chinese kung-fu style from Fukien province. The style was founded by Bai Yi Feng or by Chua Giok Beng, (1853-?) by combining Lohan, Pe Ho (White Crane), Tai Cho, Ta Sien, and Tat Chun techniques. An important routine in the style is called San Zhan, three battles or three conflicts. This is thought to be the original version of the karate form called Sanchin.

Sources of information

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