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December 6th, 2007, 03:44 PM
|  | Super Moderator | | Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Koko Style(s): Wrestling, primarily Year(s): 32
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Rep Power: 100 | | | My understanding of the term comes from an academic study of the language, as well as explanations given to me by many, many Chinese speakers and kungfu teachers while I was living in China.
Not from a website I visited.
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December 6th, 2007, 03:51 PM
|  | Pimp of the year | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kentucky Style(s): Sil Lum KF & Wrestling Year(s): 18+
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Rep Power: 49 | | | Well Unk, I've had several Chinese tell me that there are several translations. While yours is one of them I have also been told it mean one who is skilled in a specific area. This could mean culanary, painting, etc... I have heard the def. you gave is correct as well. I have heard it means one who is skilled through hard work also.
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Mark
Liberalism is a mental disorder. -M. Savage
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December 6th, 2007, 03:51 PM
|  | Dragon's List Allumni | | Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Style(s): Kung Fu & Stuff Year(s): Since 1989
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Rep Power: 111 | | | Next thing, Unk is going to tell us how chopsticks are superior utensils based on his "allged" experience.
LIVING IN CHINA PROVES NOTHING! WIKIPEDIA KNOWS ALL!!!
JD IZ TEH MISTER UF TEH INTERNETZ!!!!1111!11ONE!!111!ELEVENTY-ONE!!
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December 6th, 2007, 03:58 PM
|  | mogate victim | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Leeds Style(s): wc/arnis/(b)jj Year(s): since 2002
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__________________ "...any theory that satisfies the facts demands assumptions which are completely absurd." Aleister Crowley | 
December 6th, 2007, 04:13 PM
|  | Junior Member | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Style(s): Hung Gar Year(s): 6
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Rep Power: 0 | | Kung Fu literally translated means "time" and "energy/effort." When you translate in favor of the meaning instead of the literal definition the term kung fu tends to mean "accomplishment achieved through great effort." The chinese use it to describe anyone who has developed skill through hard work, patience, and effort. For instance a master carpenter would be said to have good kung fu.
As I understand it, the popular use of the term kung fu in this country began with teh 60s and 70s invasion of kung fu films. In these films, most notably Bruce Lee and his contemporaries, would commend their opponents on their good kung fu. This was a comment on their skill or attainment. They were not speaking to the person's style, or the genius of their particular technique. Westerner's, however, conflated and confused the term kung fu to mean both a comment on an individuals skill as well as being the chinese name given to martial arts themselves. There is also the term Kuo Shu meaning "national technique" which came into popular usage with the Chinese Government in the early to mid 1900s. It would later be replaced by the term "wu shu." The term "Wu Shu" more closely translates to martial art, however, the literal translation means "martial (or war like) technique." I am unsure whether there is a distinction drawn between contemporary (peformance focused) and traditional (combat focused) wushu in china.
If I am mistaken in the details let me know, however, I believe this is at least close to be accurate. | 
December 7th, 2007, 01:04 AM
|  | Weathered Post Master | | Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Griffin, GA Style(s): Praxis- All & None Year(s): 20
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Rep Power: 168 | | JD, consult your websites and Chinese friends and see if you can come up with the translation of the term "Mau-Rhan".
(sorry guys, been drinking....) 
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Rock On!
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December 7th, 2007, 01:37 AM
|  | <--theguychangingmyavatar | | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Land of Whales Style(s): Mei Hua Chuan/MMA Year(s): 21
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Rep Power: 220 | | | “ | Originally
Posted By: Jade_Dragon_03 
For your information there are several translations. I have seen several. Are you an authority on everything? You act like you are. | ” | |
He's actually correct there JD, I've never seen your mistranslation, and I got mine from actual Chinese masters who were born, lived and used the Chinese language for most of their lives. | |
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