kung fu
/ˌkʌŋ ˈfuː/
Chinese Origin
Martial Arts
Original Word
功夫
Mandarin (gōng fu)
Entered English
1970s
First recorded usage in English
The Story Behind "kung fu"
From Mandarin 'gōng fu' (功夫), literally 'skill' or 'effort achieved over time'. Popularized in the West by Bruce Lee films in the 1970s. Now refers broadly to Chinese martial arts.
Example Usage
"He has been studying kung fu for over ten years."