柔术
róushù
Jiu jitsu is expressed in Chinese as 柔术 (róushù).
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 柔 (róu), meaning 'soft' or 'supple' and 术 (shù), meaning 'art' or 'technique'.
Which one should you use?
If you wish to specifically refer to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the term 巴西柔术 (Bāxī róushù) is used.
How do you pronounce it?
róushù
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word 术 (shù) can refer to a 'technique' or 'art', but in ancient contexts it also meant 'magic' or 'sorcery'.
- In modern Chinese, the character 术 (shù) is used in the word for 'surgery' 手术 (shǒushù), literally meaning 'hand technique'.
- The character 柔 (róu) is used in Chinese to describe the texture of silk or the flexibility of a willow branch, linking the 'softness' of the art to nature.
Examples in context
- 他正在练习柔术。Tā zhèngzài liànxí róushù.He is practicing jiu jitsu.
- 我听说柔术很有趣。Wǒ tīngshuō róushù hěn yǒuqù.I heard that jiu jitsu is interesting.
- 你会柔术吗？Nǐ huì róushù ma?Do you know jiu jitsu?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a gym.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你会柔术吗？Hàorán, nǐ huì róushù ma?Haoran, do you know jiu jitsu?
- 浩然 Haoran我会一点柔术。Wǒ huì yīdiǎn róushù.I know a little jiu jitsu.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我也想学柔术。Wǒ yě xiǎng xué róushù.I also want to learn jiu jitsu.
- 浩然 Haoran那我们一起练习吧。Nà wǒmen yīqǐ liànxí ba.Then let's practice together.
