“功夫（kung fu）”这个词在英语中出现，应该是70年代的事儿。通过功夫明星李小龙、成龙、李连杰等，外国人知道了中国功夫。

The word “kung fu” probably only first appeared in the English language in the 1970s. Foreigners became acquainted with Chinese kung fu through the films of famous movie stars like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

　　提到中国功夫，很多人认为就是武术，其实这并不全面。中国功夫是中国武术和中国气功的总称。

Many people believe that Chinese kung fu is the same as wushu. In fact, this definition is not comprehensive. Chinese kung fu encompasses both wushu and qigong.

　　武术以技击为主要内容，以套路和搏斗为运动形式，包括各种拳术、器械和基本功夫。而中国功夫除此之外，还包括各种养生 保健、延年益寿的方法。

Wushu is a martial art which consists mainly of skilled fighting. It utilizes bare-handed and weapons forms as well as wrestling, and includes various types of fist-fighting, weaponry and basic movements. Apart from all the above mentioned, kung fu also includes a range of methods for preserving health and prolonging life.

　　中国功夫有“外练筋骨皮，内练精气神”的说法。也就是说，除了要有强壮的体格与灵活的外在功夫，还要有调整身心、畅通 气脉的内在功夫。内外兼修是中国功夫的特点。

Chinese kung fu has been described as the “training of one’s physique externally and one’s spirit internally.” It is not only used to improve one’s physique and flexibility, but also to adjust one’s mind and enhance the flow of one’s qi or energy. Simultaneous “inner and outer cultivation” is the distinguishing feature of Chinese kung fu.

　　因此，练功的人与田径、举重、拳击等运动员不同。运动员由于青少年时期肌肉运动过于激烈，中年后健康会受到影响；而练功的人却年龄越大，功力越深，身心也越健康。

Kung-fu practitioners, therefore, are different from track-and-field, weightlifting or boxing athletes. As a result of intensive training, young athletes may overwork their muscles; by mid age, they are likely to feel an impact on their health. In contrast, the impact on the body of practicing kung fu differs from that of other sports. As kung-fu practitioners get older, they become more skilled—and their mind and body become healthier as well.

　　从根本上讲，中国功夫的思想核心在于中国传统的思想文化，融合了儒家的中和养气、道家的守静致柔等，从而构成了中国的“武文化”。

Basically speaking, the philosophical core of kung fu is rooted in traditional Chinese ideology and culture. It integrates the Confucian concepts of neutrality and cultivation of one’s spirit with the  Taoist concept of maintaining an inner state of peacefulness and softness, thus giving rise to China’s unique kung-fu culture.

　　中国功夫门派繁多，比较著名的门派有少林、武当、峨眉、青城等。

There are many different schools or styles of Chinese kung fu. Among the most famous are the Shaolin, Wudang, E’mei and Qingcheng schools.