“中国功夫” (Zhōngguó Gōngfū), or “Chinese Kung Fu,” is a famous song by 屠洪刚 (Tú Hónggāng), a well-known Chinese singer. Here are the Chinese lyrics, English translations, pinyin and more materials for learners of Chinese.
The song was released in the 1990s and quickly became a classic, particularly in the context of popularizing Chinese martial arts (known as Gōngfū or Wǔshù) around the world. It’s one of the most iconic songs that celebrate traditional Chinese culture, martial arts and the spirit of perseverance and strength.
Tu Honggang – Chinese Kongfu (1997)
卧似一张弓
站似一棵松
不动不摇坐如钟
走路一阵风
南拳和北腿
少林武当功
太极八卦连环掌
中华有神功
卧似一张弓
站似一棵松
不动不摇坐如钟
走路一阵风
南拳和北腿
中国功夫
少林武当功 太极八卦连环掌 中华有神功
棍扫一大片
枪挑一条线
身轻好似云中燕
我们豪气冲云天
外练筋骨皮
内练一口气
刚柔并济不低头
我们心中有天地
卧似一张弓
站似一棵松
不动不摇坐如钟
走路一阵风
南拳和北腿
少林武当功
太极八卦连环掌
中华有神功
清风剑在手
双刀就看走
行家功夫一出手
他就知道有没有
手是两扇门
脚下是一条根
四方水土养育了
我们中华武术魂
东方一条龙
儿女似英雄
天高地远八面风
中华有神功
东方一条龙
儿女似英雄
天高地远八面风
中华有神功
中华有神功
Chinese lyrics + English translations and pinyin
卧似一张弓
Wò shì yī zhāng gōng
Lying like a bow
站似一棵松
Zhàn shì yī kē sōng
Standing like a pine tree
不动不摇坐如钟
Bù dòng bù yáo zuò rú zhōng
Still and unmoving, sitting like a bell
走路一阵风
Zǒu lù yī zhèn fēng
Walking like a gust of wind
南拳和北腿
Nán quán hé běi tuǐ
Southern fists and Northern legs
少林武当功
Shàolín wǔdāng gōng
Shaolin and Wudang kung fu
太极八卦连环掌
Tàijí bāguà lián huán zhǎng
Tai Chi, Bagua, and the linking palms
中华有神功
Zhōnghuá yǒu shén gōng
China has divine martial arts
棍扫一大片
Gùn sǎo yī dà piàn
The staff sweeps a large area
枪挑一条线
Qiāng tiāo yī tiáo xiàn
The spear picks a line
身轻好似云中燕
Shēn qīng hǎo shì yún zhōng yàn
The body light as a swallow in the clouds
我们豪气冲云天
Wǒmen háo qì chōng yún tiān
We are full of heroism, soaring through the sky
外练筋骨皮
Wài liàn jīn gǔ pí
Train the muscles and bones externally
内练一口气
Nèi liàn yī kǒu qì
Train the breath internally
刚柔并济不低头
Gāng róu bìng jì bù dī tóu
Balance of strength and gentleness, never lowering our heads
我们心中有天地
Wǒmen xīn zhōng yǒu tiāndì
We have the world in our hearts
清风剑在手
Qīng fēng jiàn zài shǒu
The sword of the clear wind in hand
双刀就看走
Shuāng dāo jiù kàn zǒu
Dual knives show the way to go
行家功夫一出手
Xíng jiā gōngfu yī chū shǒu
An expert’s kung fu is easy to recognize
他就知道有没有
Tā jiù zhīdào yǒu méiyǒu
They’ll know if it’s real or not
手是两扇门
Shǒu shì liǎng shàn mén
Hands are two doors
脚下是一条根
Jiǎo xià shì yī tiáo gēn
Feet are the root below
四方水土养育了
Sì fāng shuǐ tǔ yǎng yù le
The four directions’ earth and water nourish
我们中华武术魂
Wǒmen zhōnghuá wǔshù hún
Our Chinese martial arts soul
东方一条龙
Dōngfāng yī tiáo lóng
The Eastern dragon
儿女似英雄
Ér nǚ shì yīng xióng
The sons and daughters like heroes
天高地远八面风
Tiān gāo dì yuǎn bā miàn fēng
The sky is high, the earth is far, the wind blows from all directions
中华有神功
Zhōnghuá yǒu shén gōng
China has divine martial arts
中华有神功
Zhōnghuá yǒu shén gōng
China has divine martial arts
Key vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 卧 | Wò | Lie down / Recline |
| 似 | Shì | Like / Resembling |
| 张 | Zhāng | A measure word for flat objects (e.g., paper, bow) |
| 弓 | Gōng | Bow (as in bow and arrow) |
| 站 | Zhàn | Stand |
| 松 | Sōng | Pine tree |
| 不动 | Bù dòng | Still / Unmoving |
| 摇 | Yáo | Shake / Rock |
| 坐 | Zuò | Sit |
| 钟 | Zhōng | Clock / Bell |
| 走路 | Zǒu lù | Walk |
| 一阵风 | Yī zhèn fēng | A gust of wind |
| 南拳 | Nán quán | Southern Fist (a style of martial arts) |
| 北腿 | Běi tuǐ | Northern Leg (a style of martial arts) |
| 少林 | Shàolín | Shaolin (a famous temple and martial arts tradition) |
| 武当 | Wǔdāng | Wudang (another famous martial arts tradition) |
| 功 | Gōng | Kung fu / Skill |
| 太极 | Tàijí | Tai Chi (a Chinese martial art emphasizing slow, controlled movements) |
| 八卦 | Bāguà | Bagua (a style of martial art based on the eight trigrams) |
| 连环掌 | Lián huán zhǎng | Linking Palm (a martial art move) |
| 神功 | Shén gōng | Divine skill / Supernatural power |
| 棍 | Gùn | Staff (a type of weapon) |
| 扫 | Sǎo | Sweep |
| 枪 | Qiāng | Spear |
| 挑 | Tiāo | Pick / Lift |
| 身轻 | Shēn qīng | Light body / Agile |
| 燕 | Yàn | Swallow (the bird) |
| 豪气 | Háo qì | Heroism / Boldness |
| 筋骨皮 | Jīn gǔ pí | Muscles, bones, and skin |
| 气 | Qì | Breath / Vital energy |
| 刚柔并济 | Gāng róu bìng jì | Balance of strength and gentleness |
| 低头 | Dī tóu | Lower the head |
| 心中 | Xīn zhōng | In the heart / In one’s mind |
| 天地 | Tiāndì | Heaven and Earth / The universe |
| 剑 | Jiàn | Sword |
| 双刀 | Shuāng dāo | Dual knives |
| 行家 | Xíng jiā | Expert / Master |
| 门 | Mén | Door |
| 根 | Gēn | Root |
| 四方 | Sì fāng | Four directions |
| 水土 | Shuǐ tǔ | Earth and water / Soil and climate |
| 养育 | Yǎng yù | Nurture / Raise |
| 武术 | Wǔshù | Martial arts |
| 龙 | Lóng | Dragon |
| 儿女 | Ér nǚ | Sons and daughters |
| 英雄 | Yīngxióng | Hero |
| 天高地远 | Tiān gāo dì yuǎn | The sky is high, the earth is far |
| 八面风 | Bā miàn fēng | Wind from all directions |
8 Key expressions from the song
| Expression (Chinese) | Pinyin | English Translation | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 卧似一张弓 | Wò shì yī zhāng gōng | Lying like a bow | Refers to the stance in martial arts where the body is poised, strong, and flexible, resembling a bow. |
| 站似一棵松 | Zhàn shì yī kē sōng | Standing like a pine tree | This expression emphasizes a strong and unyielding stance, symbolizing stability and resilience. |
| 不动不摇坐如钟 | Bù dòng bù yáo zuò rú zhōng | Sitting like a bell, still and unmoving | This describes the calm, centered posture required in martial arts, embodying control and focus. |
| 走路一阵风 | Zǒulù yī zhèn fēng | Walking like a gust of wind | Describes fluid, swift, and dynamic movement, reflecting agility and speed in martial arts. |
| 南拳和北腿 | Nán quán hé běi tuǐ | Southern fist and Northern legs | Refers to the two main styles of Chinese martial arts: Southern Fist (Nán quán) and Northern Leg (Běi tuǐ). |
| 少林武当功 | Shàolín Wǔdāng gōng | Shaolin and Wudang Kung Fu | Refers to two of the most famous schools of Chinese martial arts: Shaolin (focused on hard techniques) and Wudang (known for softer, internal styles like Tai Chi). |
| 太极八卦连环掌 | Tàijí bāguà lián huán zhǎng | Taiji Bagua Link Palms | Refers to the combination of two internal martial arts styles: Tai Chi (Tàijí) and Bagua (Bāguà), emphasizing circular movements and internal energy. |
| 中华有神功 | Zhōnghuá yǒu shén gōng | China has divine power | This expression celebrates the extraordinary abilities and spiritual strength of Chinese martial arts. |
Interpretation
The song “中国功夫” (Chinese Kung Fu) by 屠洪刚 (Tú Hónggāng) is a powerful tribute to the essence of traditional Chinese martial arts. Through poetic and vivid imagery, the song highlights the key philosophies and movements that define martial arts in China. Expressions like “lying like a bow,” “standing like a pine tree,” and “sitting like a bell” symbolize the strength, stability, and inner peace required for mastery. The reference to “Southern fist and Northern legs” and schools like Shaolin and Wudang illustrates the rich diversity within Chinese martial arts traditions, blending both physical and spiritual elements.
Chinese summary
《中国功夫》是屠洪刚演唱的一首歌曲，表达了对中国传统武术的敬意。歌曲通过描绘武术的动作和姿势，如“卧似一张弓”、“站似一棵松”，展示了武术中的力量、稳定和内心的平静。歌词提到的少林、武当等武术门派，体现了中国武术的多样性和深厚的文化底蕴。整首歌强调了武术不仅是身体的技巧，更是一种精神的修炼，表达了对中国功夫的自豪与赞美。
