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.

- Z -

• Za means to pound.
• Zang quan means Tibetan fist. It is a martial art style from Qinghai and northwest China.
• Zha means stabbing. It is a term used for one of the thirteen Taiji quan broadsword techniques.
• Zha means to spread one's fingers apart.
• Zha dao means a long knife. This is the term used for a long broad sword.
• Zhai means to pluck.
• Zhan means sticking or contact. It is a Taiji quan skill.
• Zhan means to spread. It is one of xing-yi's eight fundamental skills.
• Zhan means cut. It is also used for the name of one of the basic staight sword techniques.
• Zhang Jiwei, 1848 - 1932 C.E., was a Zha quan instructor well known for his training in "iron fingers". Among his students was Chang Zhenfang, 1898 - 1979 C.E.
• Zhang Lu-ping was a martial arts instructor originally from Shanghai, China who taught Taji quan, Xing-yi quan, baqua chang, and Shaolin quan in the United States during the 1980's and 1990's. He received his PhD in mathematics in the U.S. and taught at various universities around the country.
• Zhang menren means the patriarch of the family. Normally, the grandfather is the patriarch in a Chinese family.
• Zhang Wenguang was one of the creators of modern sport wushu. He was Vice Chairman of the All China Wushu Association during the time that the competitive long fist routines were being created. He was an instructor in the Zha quan martial arts system taught by Chang Zhenfeng.
• Zhan guo means the Warring States Period. It is the period in Chinese history between 403 B.C.E and 222 B.C.E.
• Zhan nian jin means an expression of adhering or sticking energy, such as found in Taiji quan.
• Zhan zhuang means post standing. A person stands with their arms out in front of them with the arms structured as if they were encircling a tree.
• Zhao means move.
• Zhao Zhen Zhong is the author of a book called Ba Gua Qu Shi Er An Tui, Ba Gua's Seventy Two Hidden Legs. The leg attacking techniques are all done in conjunction with hand techniques. The seventy-two techniques involve kicks, knees, leg hooking techniques, stomps, trips, and bumping with the hips.
• Zha quan means Zha family fist. The Zha family style was founded by Zha Shang Yi, 1568 - 1644 C.E. He was a Muslim of Hui origin. He lived in Xinjiang province in Northwestern China. Zha Shang Yi was succeeded as head of the system by Sha Liang, nicknamed "Flying Legs Sha Liang". Sha Liang taught this system to many Chinese Muslims. The Zha system core contains ten empty handed routines. The first routine is called Mu zi, meaning mother and son. The second routine is called Xing shou, meaning parallel hand movement. The third routine is called Fei Jiao, meaning flying foot. The fourth routine is called Sun Bin, meaning rising horizon. The fifth routine is called Quan Dong, meaning eastern gate. The sixth routine is called Mai hu, meaning ambush tiger. The seventh routine is called Mei hua, meaning plum flower. The eighth routine is called Lian huan, meaning continuous. The nineth routine is called Long bei wei, meaning shake dragon's tail. The tenth routine is called Chuan quan, meaning piercing fist. These ten routines seem to be a common core among the various Zha quan lineages. Additional forms taught in the various lineages include: Tan tui in 10 lines, Hong quan, Pao quan, Hua quan, staff routines, broadsword routines, straight sword routines, Kwan do routines, and two person routines.
• Zha Shang Yi, 1568 - 1644 C.E., was the founder of the Zha Quan martial art style. He was a Muslim of Hui origin. He lived in Xinjiang province in Northwestern China.
• Zheng liao means normal slide up. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Zheng li ci means vertial stab. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Zheng pi means horizontal stab. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Zheng pi fan lian er zhang means forward and backward continuous chopping palm. It is the 1st technique in the 8th section of the Yin style Baqua zhang sixty-four changes.
• Zhengtang is the first floor reception hall in a traditional Chinese home.
• Zheng tuo means upward blocking. It is one of the basic straight sword techniques.
• Zhi means throw.
• Zhi dang chui means punch the groin. It is a technique in the Chen family style Taiji quan routine called old frame first set, Lao jia yi lu.
• Zhi di quan means throw ground fist or more commonly, pounding the ground. It is a technique in the Chen family style Taiji quan routine called old frame first set, Lao jia yi lu.
• Zhi wan yun zhang luan huan shi means straight wrist, cloud palm, random posture change. It is the 8th technique in the 8th section of the Yin style Baqua zhang sixty-four changes.
• Zhou means elbow.
• Zhou means elbow stroke. It is a corner power.
• Zhou di kan quan means elbow bottom looking fist or more commonly, striking with the fist under the elbow. It is a technique in the Chen family style Taiji quan routine called old frame first set, Lao jia yi lu.
• Zhua means a claw or talon. It exists in three versions; the long staff, the short staff or stick, and the chain. It can be in imitation of a hand or a bird's talon.
• Zhuan means to rotate.
• Zhuang means to run into, to shove, or to ram.
• Zhuan shen che bu ce zhang shan zhuang means turn around, step back, and ram forward with behind the back chopping. It is the 3rd technique of the 3rd section of the Yin style Baqua zhang sixty-four changes.
• Zhuan shen shuang bai lian means stepping back to ride the tiger. It is a technique in the Chen family style Taiji quan routine called old frame first set, Lao jia yi lu.
• Zhuan shen wai zheng chuan bi zhan yao means turn around and extend palm pushing, piercing arm, and cut the wrist. It is the 5th technique of the 3rd section of the Yin style Baqua zhang sixty-four changes.
• Zidi means a male student.
• Zijue means a character formula. It is a listing of characters, Chinese words, taught in a specific order to act as a method of remembering the usages and applications of forms and techniques.
• Zou means a bird's beak.
• Zuan means drill. It is also the name of one of the five forms in Wuxingquan, Five Form Boxing.
• Zuo means left.
• Zuo bo cao xun she means left separate the weeds to seek out the snake. It is a technique in the Chen family style Taiji quan routine called Chen village broadsword.
• Zuo fan shen kan means left separate the limbs to expose the body and chop. It is a technique in the Chen family style Taiji quan routine called Chen village broadsword.
• Zuo pan bu means crossed legs stance. It is one of the fundamental stances in northern Chinese martial art styles.
• Zushi means founder.