zung1 gwok3 gung1 fu1中國功夫中国功夫

How it's used

While the term is widely understood, locals often simply use 功夫 to refer to the martial art in casual conversation. Using the full phrase 中国功夫 often carries a sense of cultural pride or is used when speaking to foreigners who might not immediately associate the word 功夫 with the specific Chinese tradition. It is rarely used between friends unless discussing the genre of movies or historical heritage.