功夫 (“Kung Fu” or Gōng fū”)
Origin: Chinese (Mandarin)
Pssst…wanna know a secret?
Kung Fu isn’t for fighting!
Ok, now that I’ve ruffled a few feathers, let me tell you what I actually mean; Kung Fu doesn’t translate to what you likely think it does. Believe it or not, it doesn’t refer to Traditional Chinese Martial Art (TCMA).
If we break down the etymology of the characters comprising “Kung Fu”, we find something that is quite different from flying through the air with dramatic punches and kicks.
•Kung (功/gōng) = merit, achievement, result, service, accomplishment
•Fu (夫/fū) = man, husband
You can bring these together to mean something along the lines of “achievement of a man” or “skill earned through hard work and time”. This doesn’t automatically refer to fighting skills and prowess.
We can be talking about a grandmother who has refined her mac n’ cheese recipe or a pianist who regularly performs in a concert hall.
They worked hard for their skill. They have good kung fu.
Whether your pursuit is calligraphy and art or fighting and self-protection, the effort you put in to your long-term study rewards you with a treasure nobody can take away from you. Even if you lose your physical ability to perform a skill, the wisdom you achieve and can now share is irreplaceable.
This isn’t just kung fu, this is your kung fu.
Identity Crisis
The ambiguous interpretation of the words “kung fu” is partly why it isn’t the only term people use when referring to traditional Chinese martial arts. Other terms you may hear include:
- Wu Shu (武 術; “martial art”)
- Guo Sho (國 術; “national art”)
- Quan Fa (拳法; “fist principles”, “law of the fist”
There are many more terms used throughout the ages and each have their own history and purpose. Though the term “Wu Shu” is likely the most accurate to describe TCMA, it is also the one that currently represents movements and ideas that differ greatly from TCMA.
Let us know in the comments if you want us to delve into the precise meaning and history of the other terms used. Quan Fa in particular has a history that crosses over into the islands of Japan and the streets of Hawaii.
Don’t forget: each Wednesday provides a deep dive into a word you have likely heard in your martial arts training! To check out last week’s lesson, click HERE!
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