HSK · Level 41
120 words
Chinese word
太极拳
Pronunciation
Pinyintài jí quán
Meaning
- nountai chi
Example
我们晚上去公园练太极拳。wǒ men wǎn shàng qù gōng yuán liàn tài jí quán
We go to the park to practice tai chi in the evening.
More examples
早上公园里很多老人一起打太极拳。zǎo shàng gōng yuán lǐ hěn duō lǎo rén yì qǐ dǎ tài jí quán
In the park, many older people practice tai chi together in the morning.
Core concept
Slow, circular movement links balance, breathing, and whole-body force for health and martial skill.
Common phrases
练太极拳liàn tài jí quán
practice tai chi
打太极拳dǎ tài jí quán
do tai chi
太极拳表演tài jí quán biáo yǎn
tai chi performance
Similar words
功夫gōng fu: Chinese fighting skill developed through practiced movement, attack, defense, and technique.
武术wǔ shù: A traditional Chinese system that organizes combat skills and established movement forms.
气功qì gōng: A traditional health practice that joins breathing with movement to support vital energy.
Definition in Chinese
太极拳是以慢速套路和圆转动作为特点的传统拳法，既用于健身，也包含防身和技击训练。tài jí quán shì yǐ màn sù tào lù hé yuán zhuǎn dòng zuò wéi tè diǎn de chuán tǒng quán fǎ jì yòng yú jiàn shēn yě bāo hán fáng shēn hé jì jī xùn liàn
Word origin
The name combines 太极 (tàijí, "supreme polarity"), the idea of balanced complementary forces, with 拳 (quán, "fist"), linking a philosophy of harmony to a martial art.
Usage tips
- English speakers often use tai chi mainly for gentle exercise, while the Chinese name also points to a martial tradition, so the context can include both wellness and martial training.
Related words
- 太极拳套路tài jí quán tào lùtai chi formnoun
- 太极拳表演tài jí quán biáo yǎntai chi performancenoun
- 太极拳师tài jí quán shītai chi masternoun