Wing Chun Glossary: Terms, Forms, Techniques & Principles
Somerset Wing Chun Kung Fu uses a mixture of Cantonese terms in its classes in Weston-super-Mare as well as traditional Chinese martial-arts terminology and expressions that describe movements, training exercises and principles.
The spelling of Wing Chun terms varies between schools because Cantonese can be romanised in several different ways. You may therefore see variations such as Siu Nim Tau / Siu Lim Tao, Chum Kiu / Cham Kiu, Biu Jee / Biu Ji, Tan Sau / Taan Sau, or Jum Sau / Jam Sau.
The important thing is that the spelling in English is an attempt to name a Chinese sound so the spelling is open to interperation.
More important than the spelling is that a term describes something that must be understood through practice.
At Somerset Wing Chun, our training follows the Ip Man / Grandmaster Samuel Kwok lineage, while recognising that terminology and technical interpretations can differ between Wing Chun schools.
Wing Chun Terminology: Why the Words Matter
Learning Cantonese terminology can help students understand their training, but memorising translations is only the beginning.
A dictionary definition cannot explain how a movement should feel, when it should be used or how it changes when an opponent moves.
At Somerset Wing Chun, terminology is therefore treated as a way of describing training rather than replacing training.
You can read about Wing Chun. You can watch Wing Chun. But ultimately, Wing Chun has to be trained.
What does Wing Chun mean?
Wing Chun (詠春) is commonly translated as “Spring Chant” or “Praising Spring”, depending on the characters and interpretation being discussed.
The name is traditionally associated with the legendary figure Yim Wing Chun. However, the early history of Wing Chun is not completely documented, and the famous Ng Mui and Yim Wing Chun origin story should be understood as traditional lineage history rather than established historical fact.
What is much clearer is that Wing Chun developed as a Southern Chinese martial art and that its modern international development is strongly associated with the Foshan and Hong Kong traditions, particularly through Ip Man.
The Three Empty-Hand Forms
Siu Nim Tau — 小念頭
Common spellings: Siu Nim Tao, Siu Lim Tao
Meaning: commonly translated as “Little Idea” or “Small Idea”
Siu Nim Tau is the first empty-hand form of the Wing Chun system.
It introduces many of the fundamental hand positions, movements and structural ideas used throughout Wing Chun. Training is performed largely from a stationary position, allowing the student to concentrate on alignment, balance, relaxation, hand position and the relationship between the body and the centreline.
Siu Nim Tau is not simply a collection of techniques to memorise.
Its purpose is to develop the basic movement vocabulary from which later Wing Chun training can be built.
Chum Kiu — 尋橋
Common spellings: Cham Kiu, Chum Kiu
Meaning: “Seeking the Bridge”
Chum Kiu is the second empty-hand form.
Where Siu Nim Tau concentrates heavily on developing the student's basic structure and hand skills, Chum Kiu introduces more movement through turning, stepping, coordination and the use of the body to bridge the distance between two people.
The word “bridge” is important in Wing Chun terminology. The bridge can refer to contact or connection between your arms and those of another person.
Chum Kiu therefore develops the ability to move while maintaining useful structure and to close or manage distance without abandoning the principles learned in the first form.
Biu Jee — 鏢指
Common spellings: Biu Ji, Biu Jee
Meaning: commonly translated as “Darting Fingers”
Biu Jee is the third empty-hand form.
It is traditionally associated with situations in which normal structure, position or balance has been compromised. Training includes movements and ideas for recovering position, regaining the centre and continuing to work when the practitioner is no longer in an ideal situation.
It should not be interpreted simply as an “advanced techniques form”.
A better way to understand Biu Jee is as part of a broader training progression: if Wing Chun teaches you how to establish and maintain good position, Biu Jee also explores what happens when that position has been disrupted.
Wooden Dummy - Muk Yan Jong — 木人樁
Common spellings: Muk Yan Jong, Muk Yang Jong
Meaning: Wooden Dummy
The Muk Yan Jong is the traditional Wing Chun wooden training dummy.
Wooden-dummy training allows the practitioner to practise combinations of movement, positioning, footwork, angles and hand techniques against a fixed training apparatus.
The dummy does not “teach you how to fight” by itself.
Its value comes from the way it allows movements to be repeated with consistent reference points. A skilled instructor uses dummy training to develop attributes that also have to be developed through partner work.
Wing Chun Weapons
Luk Dim Boon Gwan — 六點半棍
Common spellings: Luk Dim Boon Gwan, Luk Dim Boon Kwun
Meaning: commonly translated as “Six-and-a-Half-Point Pole”
The long pole is one of the traditional weapons associated with Wing Chun.
Weapon training changes the demands placed on stance, movement, alignment and power generation. Although the weapon is very different from empty-hand training, traditional Wing Chun treats the weapons as part of the wider system rather than as an unrelated discipline.
Baat Jaam Do — 八斬刀
Common spellings: Baat Cham Dao, Baat Jaam Do
Meaning: commonly translated as “Eight-Cutting Knives”
The Baat Jaam Do are the traditional paired butterfly knives associated with Wing Chun.
As with the pole, weapons training is generally regarded as advanced training and should be undertaken under qualified instruction.
Stance & Footwork
Yi Ji Kim Yeung Ma — 二字拑羊馬
A traditional Wing Chun stance commonly associated with the basic training position.
The name is often translated in terms such as “Character Two Goat-Clamping Stance.”
The exact interpretation of the name varies between schools.
Rather than thinking of the stance as a rigid pose, students should understand it as a way of organising the body so that balance, mobility, alignment and efficient movement can be developed.
Juen Ma
Meaning: Turning or pivoting stance/footwork
Juen Ma describes turning or rotating the body while maintaining useful structure.
Turning is an important part of Wing Chun because the practitioner must be able to change facing and angle without unnecessarily compromising balance or position.
Seung Ma
Meaning: Advancing step
A forward-moving step used to close distance or improve position.
Tui Ma
Meaning: Retreating or stepping-away movement
A movement used to manage distance while maintaining balance and structure.
Huen Bo
Meaning: Circular step
Footwork involving a circular stepping action.
As with many Wing Chun terms, the precise application and interpretation can differ between lineages.
Hand Positions & Techniques
Tan Sau — 攤手
Common spellings: Taan Sau
Meaning: commonly translated as “Spreading Hand”
Tan Sau is one of the fundamental Wing Chun hand positions.
It is often described as a deflection, but thinking of every Wing Chun movement as a fixed “block” can be misleading.
The hand position is used within a wider system of positioning, contact, pressure and forward movement.
Bong Sau — 膀手
Meaning: commonly translated as “Wing Arm”
Bong Sau is characterised by the position of the forearm and elbow relative to the body.
It is frequently described as a defensive technique, but in practical Wing Chun its usefulness depends on timing, structure, angle and what is happening to the rest of the body.
A Wing Chun movement should not be treated as an isolated shape.
Fook Sau — 伏手
Meaning: commonly translated as “Subduing Hand”
Fook Sau is used extensively in Wing Chun training and partner exercises.
It develops sensitivity to pressure and helps students learn to maintain contact without relying solely on muscular force.
Wu Sau — 護手
Meaning: commonly translated as “Protecting Hand”
Wu Sau is a protective hand position used to maintain a defensive structure while the other hand is occupied or moving.
Pak Sau — 拍手
Meaning: “Slapping Hand”
Pak Sau is a quick hand movement commonly used to clear or redirect an opponent's arm while maintaining forward intent.
It is frequently trained in combination with strikes or other hand movements.
Lap Sau — 拉手
Meaning: Pulling or controlling hand
Lap Sau involves controlling or pulling an opponent's arm.
In practical training, the objective is not simply to “pull someone”. The exercise develops timing, contact, coordination and the ability to exploit an opening.
Bong Sau
Bong Sau is often misunderstood as a fixed defensive block.
A more useful interpretation is that it is a temporary structural response to pressure and positioning.
Its effectiveness depends on:
Meaning: commonly translated as “Protecting Hand”
Wu Sau is a protective hand position used to maintain a defensive structure while the other hand is occupied or moving.
Pak Sau — 拍手
Meaning: “Slapping Hand”
Pak Sau is a quick hand movement commonly used to clear or redirect an opponent's arm while maintaining forward intent.
It is frequently trained in combination with strikes or other hand movements.
Lap Sau — 拉手
Meaning: Pulling or controlling hand
Lap Sau involves controlling or pulling an opponent's arm.
In practical training, the objective is not simply to “pull someone”. The exercise develops timing, contact, coordination and the ability to exploit an opening.
Bong Sau
Bong Sau is often misunderstood as a fixed defensive block.
A more useful interpretation is that it is a temporary structural response to pressure and positioning.
Its effectiveness depends on:
-
elbow position
-
body alignment
-
angle
-
distance
-
timing
-
pressure
-
what happens immediately afterwards
This is one reason Wing Chun cannot be properly understood by looking at individual techniques in isolation.
Jam Sau
Meaning: commonly translated as “Sinking Hand/Arm”
Jam Sau uses downward pressure or movement of the arm and is commonly trained as part of the Wing Chun system's close-range control and defensive actions.
Gaan Sau
Meaning: commonly translated as “Splitting Hand/Arm”
Gaan Sau involves using the arm to divide or intercept an incoming line of attack.
Lan Sau
Meaning: commonly translated as “Barring Arm”
Lan Sau is a structural arm position used to occupy or control space.
Biu Sau
Meaning: commonly translated as “Darting/Thrusting Hand”
Biu Sau is a projecting or extending hand action.
As with many Wing Chun movements, the same movement can have different applications depending on distance, angle and the opponent's movement.
Huen Sau
Meaning: Circling Hand
A circular hand movement used to change position, recover contact or transition between techniques.
Kwan Sau
Meaning: Rotating or circling hands
Kwan Sau combines hand movements to manage pressure and position, and is commonly trained within partner exercises and forms.
Striking
Yat Ji Kuen — 日字拳
Meaning: “Sun Character Fist”
A vertical Wing Chun punch whose name refers to the shape of the Chinese character 日.
The punch is normally delivered along the centreline rather than using a large swinging action.
Jing Jeung
Meaning: Vertical Palm
A palm-strike movement using a vertical orientation of the hand.
Waang Jeung
Meaning: Horizontal Palm
A palm-strike movement using a more horizontal hand position.
Po Pai Jeung
Meaning: commonly translated as “Double Palm Strike”
A double-palm movement traditionally associated with Wing Chun.
Jarn — Elbow
Elbow techniques are an important part of close-range Wing Chun.
Because Wing Chun is designed around close-range engagement, the elbows can become useful when the distance between two people is reduced.
Kicking
Dang Geuk
A basic Wing Chun kicking action, commonly associated with a rising or front kick.
Wing Chun kicking tends to be relatively economical and is integrated with the practitioner's overall structure and balance rather than relying on elaborate high kicks.
Waang Geuk
A horizontal or side-oriented kicking action.
Chi Sau
Chi Sau — 黐手
Meaning: “Sticking Hands”
Chi Sau is one of the best-known Wing Chun training exercises.
It is important to understand what Chi Sau is — and what it is not.
Chi Sau is not a magical ability to fight without looking.
It is a structured partner exercise used to develop attributes including:
- tactile sensitivity
- timing
- positioning
- pressure awareness
- relaxation
- coordination
- recovery
- forward intent
- close-range control
The practitioner learns to respond to changes in contact rather than attempting to memorise a predetermined sequence.
This makes Chi Sau an important bridge between solo forms and more dynamic partner training.
Daan Chi Sau
Meaning: Single-Hand Chi Sau
A form of Chi Sau training using one arm.
Seung Chi Sau
This makes Chi Sau an important bridge between solo forms and more dynamic partner training.
Daan Chi Sau
Meaning: Single-Hand Chi Sau
A form of Chi Sau training using one arm.
Seung Chi Sau
Meaning: Double-Hand Chi Sau
Two-handed Chi Sau training.
Poon Sau
Meaning: Rolling Hands
A cyclical partner exercise used to develop contact, positioning and sensitivity.
Gwor Sau
A more dynamic Chi Sau exercise in which practitioners work with a greater degree of movement and attack.
The exact format varies between Wing Chun schools.
Chi Gerk
Meaning: “Sticking Legs”
Partner training involving the legs and feet.
It develops awareness of contact, balance and lower-body positioning.
Concepts & Principles
Centreline
The centreline is one of the most important concepts in Wing Chun.
It can refer both to the physical line running through the body's centre and to the strategic line between two opponents.
Protecting your own centre while occupying or controlling the opponent's centre can make movement more direct and economical.
Centreline theory should not be reduced to drawing an imaginary line down the middle of the body. It is a practical way of thinking about position, targets, movement and access.
Forward Pressure
Wing Chun training often develops a principle of forward intent.
This does not mean blindly moving forwards.
It means maintaining an appropriate intention to occupy available space and continue towards a useful position rather than unnecessarily retreating or withdrawing the hands.
Lat Sau Jik Chung
Common spelling: Lap Sau Jik Chung / Lat Sau Jik Chung
Often translated in terms of continuous forward energy.
The concept describes maintaining appropriate forward intent rather than allowing the arms to become passive when contact is lost or disrupted.
It is a principle of behaviour and training rather than a single technique.
Chiu Ying
Meaning: Facing
Chiu Ying refers to the concept of facing the opponent with appropriate body alignment.
Good facing reduces unnecessary exposure and helps the practitioner maintain useful relationships between their hands, feet and centreline.
Man Sau
Meaning: Asking Hand / Questioning Hand
Man Sau is associated with the idea of using the hand to establish information through contact or movement.
Yi Ying Sau
A concept associated with recovering or restoring hand shape and position.
Bridge — Kiu
The Kiu, or bridge, is a recurring idea in Wing Chun.
In practical terms, a bridge can be understood as a connection between your movement and the opponent's movement.
Once contact is established, the practitioner can use pressure, sensitivity and positioning to respond to changes rather than relying entirely on visual reaction.
This is why Wing Chun places so much emphasis on partner exercises.
Structure
Wing Chun often places considerable emphasis on structure.
Structure means organising the body so that force can be received, redirected or generated efficiently.
It involves more than standing upright.
Useful structure depends on:
- skeletal alignment
- balance
- elbow position
- stance
- relaxation
- body connection
- timing
- appropriate pressure
Good structure should support movement, not make the practitioner rigid.
Relaxation
Relaxation in Wing Chun does not mean becoming physically limp.
It means removing unnecessary muscular tension so that the practitioner can move efficiently, respond quickly and maintain sensitivity.
The objective is relaxed but organised movement.
Economy of Movement
Wing Chun is often described as an economical martial art.
That does not mean every movement is automatically shorter or faster.
It means that training encourages the practitioner to avoid unnecessary movement where a simpler solution is available.
Economy comes from:
position + timing + structure + accuracy + appropriate movement.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity is the ability to detect changes in pressure, direction, position and movement through physical contact.
Chi Sau is one of the principal ways Wing Chun develops this quality.
Sensitivity is not a substitute for speed, fitness, timing or realistic practice. It is one component of a broader skill set.