📂 Oxford Accepted

Kung fu (功夫) — Chinglish Slang

📌 Quick Overview | 词条速览

Slang Name:Kung fu

Chinese:功夫

Type:Oxford Accepted / Chinglish Slang

🔎 Full Meaning | 完整释义

English:
A collective term for Chinese martial arts, emphasizing skill, discipline, strength and spiritual cultivation; a globally iconic English term representing Chinese martial culture.

中文:
中国武术的统称,注重技巧、自律、力量与精神修养,是代表中国武术文化的全球标志性英文词汇。

📜 Origin & Background | 词源与文化背景

Transliterated from the Cantonese pronunciation of "gōng fū" (功夫), meaning "skill achieved through hard work". Popularized worldwide by Chinese martial arts films, it has become a core English loanword for Chinese culture.
源自中文粤语“功夫”音译,意为“通过努力习得的技艺”,经中国功夫电影风靡全球,成为中国文化核心英文外来词。

📖 Example Sentences | 双语实用例句

📌 Example 1
A: "Jackie Chan is famous for his kung fu movies." B: "His kung fu performances are so exciting."

A:"成龙因功夫电影闻名世界。" B:"他的功夫表演太精彩了。"
📌 Example 2
A: "I am learning kung fu in a martial arts school." B: "Cool! Kung fu can make you strong and brave."

A:"我在武校学功夫。" B:"太酷了!功夫能让你强壮勇敢。"
📌 Example 3
A: "What is the spirit of kung fu?" B: "It includes perseverance, respect and self-discipline."

A:"功夫的精神是什么?" B:"包含坚韧、尊重和自律。"
📌 Example 4
A: "Kung fu has many different styles." B: "Shaolin kung fu and Tai chi are the most famous ones."

A:"功夫有很多不同流派。" B:"少林功夫和太极最有名。"
📌 Example 5
A: "Many children dream of learning kung fu." B: "They love Chinese martial arts culture very much."

A:"很多孩子梦想学功夫。" B:"他们非常热爱中国武术文化。"
📌 Example 6
A: "Kung fu is not only fighting but also self-cultivation." B: "It teaches people to be humble and kind."

A:"功夫不只是打斗,更是修身养性。" B:"它教人谦逊善良。"
📌 Example 7
A: "Foreigners think kung fu is magical." B: "They are amazed by Chinese martial arts skills."

A:"外国人觉得功夫很神奇。" B:"他们对中国武术技巧惊叹不已。"
📌 Example 8
A: "Practicing kung fu needs long-term persistence." B: "It takes years to master real kung fu."

A:"练功夫需要长期坚持。" B:"掌握真正的功夫需要数年时间。"
📌 Example 9
A: "Kung fu is a symbol of Chinese culture." B: "It shows the wisdom and strength of China."

A:"功夫是中国文化的象征。" B:"展现了中国的智慧与力量。"

🔗 Related Chinglish Slang

✍️ By Chinglish Lab Team · 📅 May 5, 2026
#Chinglish #OxfordAccepted #ChineseEnglish

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