Guide · vocabulary
Wing Chun terms explained
Wing Chun uses Cantonese names for its techniques and training methods. This glossary gives each term’s Chinese characters, a common translation and a short description.
Spellings vary between lineages (for example Tan Sau, Taan Sau or Tan-Sau), and descriptions here are deliberately brief. How a movement is performed in detail is best learned from your instructor.
Hand and arm techniques
- Tan Sau 攤手 · “dispersing hand”
- An open hand extended forward with the palm facing up, the forearm angled towards the centreline. It is one of the first positions met in Siu Nim Tau. In the sample: Siu Nim Tau §1.
- Bong Sau 膀手 · “wing arm”
- The forearm angled across the front of the body with the elbow raised higher than the wrist. Unlike most positions, it deliberately lifts the elbow. In the sample: Chum Kiu §1, including Bong Sau while turning.
- Fook Sau 伏手 · “subduing hand”
- A bent-wrist hand that rests on top of another arm, with the elbow kept towards the centre. It is central to sticking-hands training.
- Wu Sau 護手 · “protecting hand”
- An upright open palm held in front of the chest as a guard, with space kept between the elbow and the flank.
- Huen Sau 圈手 · “circling hand”
- The hand circles at the wrist, linking one hand position to the next. In the sample: Siu Nim Tau §1.
- Lan Sau 攔手 · “bar arm”
- The forearm held roughly level across the front of the body, like a barrier. In the sample: Chum Kiu §1.
- Pak Sau 拍手 · “slapping hand”
- A short slap with the palm that redirects an incoming arm.
- Jum Sau 枕手 · “sinking arm”
- The forearm sinks and closes inwards towards the centreline.
- Gaun Sau 耕手 · “splitting arm”
- A low arm that sweeps down and outwards. The opening of Siu Nim Tau uses both arms crossed in this way. In the sample: Siu Nim Tau §1.
- Jut Sau 窒手 · “jerking hand”
- A short, sharp downward jerk applied to another arm.
- Lap Sau 拉手 · “pulling hand”
- Taking hold of an arm and drawing it in. It is also the name of a two-person training cycle.
- Man Sau 問手 · “asking hand”
- A forward-reaching lead arm that “asks” for contact.
- Biu Sau 標手 · “thrusting hand”
- The fingers thrust forwards. The third form, Biu Jee, is named after this action.
- Pie Jarn 批踭 · “cutting elbow”
- A horizontal elbow strike delivered as the body turns. In the sample: Chum Kiu §1.
- Yat Chi Chung Kuen 日字衝拳 · straight punch
- The basic straight punch, delivered along the centreline with the fist upright and the elbow kept low. In the sample: Siu Nim Tau §1.
Stance, body and principles
- Yee Chi Kim Yeung Ma 二字箝羊馬 · adduction stance
- The basic stance of the first form: knees bent and drawn slightly inwards, toes turned in, weight shared evenly between both feet.
- Centreline 中線
- An imaginary line down the middle of the body. Much of Wing Chun is about protecting your own centreline and working along the line towards a partner’s.
- Kiu 橋 · bridge
- The point of contact between your arm and a partner’s. Chum Kiu, the second form, means “seeking the bridge”.
Training methods
- Chi Sau 黐手 · “sticking hands”
- A partner exercise in which both people keep their arms in contact while changing position, developing sensitivity to pressure and movement. It cannot be learned from an animation; it needs a partner and an instructor.
- Dan Chi Sau 單黐手 · single sticking hand
- A one-arm version of sticking hands, usually taught before the two-arm exercise.
- Poon Sau 盤手 · rolling arms
- The continuous two-arm rolling cycle at the heart of Chi Sau.
- Forms
- Set solo sequences: Siu Nim Tau 小念頭, Chum Kiu 尋橋 and Biu Jee 標指, then the wooden dummy, the long pole and the knives. See the Wing Chun forms, in order.