Wushu Terminology for Beginners: 7 Words You Will Hear in Class

Walking into a Wushu class for the first time can feel like stepping into a new language, with coaches calling out terms that mean nothing yet. A stance gets named, a routine gets referenced and a new student is left nodding along without much idea what just happened. This is completely normal, and it usually only takes a few classes for the vocabulary to click. Most of these words come up again and again, so learning a handful early makes class much easier to follow from day one. Here are seven you will hear often.

1. Mǎbù (Horse Stance)

Mǎbù, or horse stance, is one of the first things most students learn. Feet are placed wider than shoulder width, knees bent as if sitting on a horse, weight spread evenly between both legs. It builds leg strength and balance and appears in nearly every routine, so coaches reference it constantly from the very first class, often asking students to hold it for a count as part of the warm-up.

2. Gōngbù (Bow Stance)

Gōngbù, or bow stance, involves a forward lunge with one leg bent and the other extended behind. It is used to generate power in strikes and transitions between movements, since the extended back leg provides a stable base to push off from. Alongside horse stance, it forms one of the two stances beginners practise most frequently in early lessons.

3. Jīběngōng (Basic Skills)

Jīběngōng refers to the foundational training that underpins everything else in Wushu, including stretching, stance work, basic kicks and conditioning. Coaches use this term often when describing warm-up drills or early-stage training, since these basics come before any student attempts a full routine or form. A strong grasp of jīběngōng tends to make more complex movements easier to learn later.

4. Táolù (Routine)

Táolù is the term for a set routine or form, a sequence of movements performed in order. Much of Wushu training builds towards learning and refining a táolù, whether a short beginner sequence or a longer competition routine performed with weapons or bare hands. Coaches often ask students to “run the táolù” during practice, meaning to perform it from start to finish.

5. Quán (Fist Form)

Quán translates roughly to “fist” and appears in the names of entire styles, such as chángquán, or Long Fist, one of the most common styles taught to beginners. When a coach refers to a specific quán, they usually mean a named style or form with its own set movements, rhythm and character, distinct from other styles within Wushu.

6. Jiàoliàn (Coach)

Jiàoliàn is the standard term for a coach or instructor, widely used in modern Wushu and sport contexts. Children and adults alike use it when addressing or referring to the person leading their class, and it comes up constantly, from instructions like “listen to jiàoliàn” to simple greetings at the start and end of a session. It is one of the first words most beginners pick up without needing to be taught directly. 

7. Wǔdé (Martial Value)

Wǔdé refers to the code of conduct and character expected of a Wushu student, covering values such as respect, humility, discipline and self-control. Coaches introduce this term naturally, often referencing it in simple habits like bowing to the coach and classmates, listening without interrupting and trying again after a mistake instead of giving up. For young students in particular, wǔdé as a philosophy is often treated as just as important as any physical technique. 

Small Words, Big Head Start

A handful of terms might seem like a small thing to learn before a first class, but it often makes the difference between feeling lost and feeling settled. RexArts Wushu builds vocabulary into training naturally, introducing terms like these at a pace appropriate for each age group rather than all at once. Contact us to find out more about how our classes are customised for young beginners, older students and everyone in between.