noi6 gung1內功内功
Jyutpingnoi6 gung1
Yalenoih gūng
Definition
Neigong; internal kung fu focused on breathing and mind concentration, or a person's inner strength and ability.
- technicalinternal martial arts training focusing on breathing and concentration
- figurativeone's inner strength, core capability, or deep skills
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the internal strength cultivated through breathing and mental focus rather than external muscle power. Beyond martial arts, it is frequently used metaphorically in professional or social contexts to describe someone's hidden depth, foundational knowledge, or underlying capability that is not immediately visible to others.
Examples
He has practiced internal energy for many years, he is really impressive.
Related words
Common phrases
profound internal strength
to practice internal energy
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical fitness or gym strength, as those are considered external or surface level. It is strictly reserved for internal, often intangible, mastery or deep-seated expertise.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
