WCKUK Wing Chun Glossary — Your Guide to Clear, Honest, Real Wing Chun Knowledge
Wing Chun can feel complicated when you first step onto the training floor.
Strange-sounding Cantonese terms… new ideas… new shapes… new concepts… all arriving at once.
At WCKUK, we wanted to make this journey easier for everyone, beginners, parents, instructors, and even experienced martial artists returning to training.
So we built something special:
The WCKUK Wing Chun Glossary
A clear, structured, modern guide to the core ideas behind Wing Chun Kuen.
It’s the first glossary of its kind in the UK, written from real experience, rooted in the Yip Man lineage, explained in simple language, and designed to help you make sense of the art from day one.
Why We Built the Glossary
Wing Chun is known for being simple… but it’s also rich, deep, and philosophical.
Concepts like:
Centreline Theory
Economy of Motion
Lin Wan Kuen
Structure & Relaxation
Sun Faat
Ting Lik
…are powerful, but without guidance, beginners often misunderstand them.
We created the glossary to:
Make training clearer
Help beginners learn faster
Give parents a confident understanding of what their children are learning
Keep the terminology consistent across all WCKUK schools
Preserve the traditional names while explaining them in modern language
Support students through their early stages of training
Provide a reference that’s free and open to anyone
It’s our way of giving back to the community, and helping more people enjoy Wing Chun without confusion.
What’s Inside the Glossary
You’ll find clear explanations of:
Techniques & Hand Shapes
Tan Sau, Bong Sau, Pak Sau, Fook Sau, Jut Sau, etc.
Footwork & Movement
Juen Ma, Tui Ma, Pivoting, Stepping, Hip Power, Rooting.
Energy Concepts
Nim Lik (Thought / Intent Force), Ting Lik (Listening Skill), Sun Faat (Forward Intent).
Principles
Centreline Theory, Structure & Relaxation, Economy of Motion.
Forms
Siu Nim Tao, Chum Kiu, Biu Tze.
Training Methods
Chi Sau, Drills, Wall Bag, Wooden Dummy.
Everything written in simple, grounded language that reflects how we teach in class.
How to Use the Glossary While Training
To get the most from it:
✔ Read the definition before class
You’ll understand drills and corrections much faster.
✔ Revisit terms after learning something new
Concepts deepen with experience.
✔ Parents: Use it to follow your child’s progress
It helps you see what they’re learning each week.
✔ Black shirts / advanced students:
Use it to sharpen your teaching and explanations.
Why It Matters
Good Wing Chun teaching should never be vague, mysterious, or confusing.
Whether you’re:
a complete beginner
an experienced martial artist
a parent
or someone curious about Wing Chun
…you deserve clear, honest explanations.
That’s what the glossary is for — and it’s available to everyone, free of charge.
Where to Start
Here are a few popular glossary entries to explore first:
Tan Sau — Palm-Up Hand
Centreline Theory— The heart of Wing Chun
Structure & Relaxation — The balance we’re always hunting for
Lin Wan Kuen — Continuous Striking
Ting Lik — Listening Skill
Siu Nim Tao — The first form
You can browse the full glossary here:
Final Thought
Wing Chun has changed thousands of lives across WCKUK, building confidence, discipline, calmness, and strength in children and adults alike.
This glossary is simply another step in our mission:
Make Wing Chun clear.
Make Wing Chun learnable.
Make Wing Chun accessible to everyone.
If even one page helps you make sense of something in class, then it’s already worth it.
Updated: November 23, 2025