咏春
yǒng chūn
The English phrase "wing chun" is translated into Chinese as 咏春 (yǒng chūn).
咏春 refers to the Chinese martial art known as Wing Chun.
Meaning: Chinese martial arts (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The name literally means "chanting spring", where 咏 (yǒng) means to chant or sing and 春 (chūn) means spring.
Which one should you use?
You may refer to the art as 咏春拳, which is formed by adding the character 拳 (quán, meaning "fist") to the end of the name to say "Wing Chun Kung Fu".
Is it said differently in some regions?
Among Cantonese speakers, and particularly those originating from the southern region of China, the term is commonly pronounced as "Ving Tsun".
How do you pronounce it?
yǒng chūn
Did you know?
- Legend says 咏春 was created by a woman named Ng Mui who developed the system to allow a smaller person to defeat a larger opponent.
- Practitioners of 咏春 often use 'sticky hands' training, where they maintain constant physical contact with a partner to feel their opponent's energy.
- Unlike many styles that emphasize power, 咏春 focuses on 'centerline theory', which teaches students to keep their attacks and defenses on a straight line.
Examples in context
- 他在练习咏春。Tā zài liànxí Yǒngchūn.He is practicing wing chun.
- 咏春是一种武术。Yǒngchūn shì yī zhǒng wǔshù.Wing chun is a type of martial art.
- 我从小就学咏春。Wǒ cóngxiǎo jiù xué Yǒngchūn.I have studied wing chun since I was a child.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a park.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你最近在学什么？Hàorán, nǐ zuìjìn zài xué shénme?Haoran, what have you been learning lately?
- 浩然 Haoran我在学咏春。Wǒ zài xué Yǒngchūn.I am learning wing chun.
- 佳怡 Jiayi咏春很有趣吗？Yǒngchūn hěn yǒuqù ma?Is wing chun interesting?
- 浩然 Haoran非常有趣，很有挑战性。Fēicháng yǒuqù, hěn yǒu tiǎozhàn xìng.Very interesting, and quite challenging.
