功夫

• Pinyin: gōng fu
• Hanzi breakdown: 功 = 工 (work) + 力 (strength) — achievement through effort; 夫 = 大 (big) + 一 (one) — a grown man

Meaning

Kung fu; martial arts skill. Also refers to skill or mastery achieved through long practice.

Has two closely related meanings: (1) Chinese martial arts, as in 中国功夫 (Chinese kung fu), 功夫片 (kung fu film); (2) skill or expertise gained through dedicated practice. Note the difference from 工夫, which emphasises time and effort rather than the resulting skill. 功夫 is the word known internationally.

Examples

1. 中国功夫在世界上非常有名。 Chinese kung fu is very famous around the world.
2. 他从小就开始练功夫了。 He started practising kung fu when he was little.
3. 我很喜欢看功夫电影。 I really enjoy watching kung fu films.

Usage Guide

Context: martial arts, culture, everyday

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 他的功夫很厉害。(His kung fu is very impressive.)
• 我想学中国功夫。(I want to learn Chinese kung fu.)

Don't Say

• 我没有功夫跟你聊天。(When meaning 'I don't have time,' use 工夫 or 时间 instead — 功夫 here primarily means martial arts skill. Say 我没有工夫跟你聊天.)

Origin & History

Compound of 功 (merit/achievement) and 夫 (man). Originally referred to skill or mastery gained through effort, later became closely associated with Chinese martial arts.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal