The word (
Cantonese
Cantonese is the traditional prestige variety of Yue Chinese, a Sinitic language belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family. It originated in the city of Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) and its surrounding Pearl River Delta. While th ...
) or (
Mandarin) is a cultural term that is common in spoken and written
Chinese. In Cantonese, it is sometimes also transliterated as . This term may carry different meanings, depending on the local culture and the geographical location of whomever speaks or writes it.
Internationally and in common usage
In modern-day Chinese vernacular, the term is most often used for describing a training hall for
Chinese Martial Arts
Chinese martial arts, commonly referred to with umbrella terms Kung fu (term), kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (sport), wushu (), are Styles of Chinese martial arts, multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater Ch ...
. In this context, the complete term would be either (
Cantonese
Cantonese is the traditional prestige variety of Yue Chinese, a Sinitic language belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family. It originated in the city of Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) and its surrounding Pearl River Delta. While th ...
) or (
Mandarin). That usage of the term, in its meaning as a martial arts school, is especially common in English-speaking countries. In that way, Kwoon or Guan is a culturally-equivalent term to the Japanese
Dojo, as it relates to Traditional Martial Arts.
Official usage in the People's Republic of China
In the
PRC's
Standard Mandarin Chinese, the word Guǎn can also mean:
[MDBG English to Chinese Dictionary; https://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?wdqr=%E9%A4%A8%7C%E9%A6%86%5Bguan3%5D&wdrst=0]
* An Accommodation for guests;
* An Embassy, Legation or Consulate;
* (Of service trades) A Shop;
* A Service Establishment;
* A place for cultural activities;
* (Archaic) An old-style
private school
A private school or independent school is a school not administered or funded by the government, unlike a State school, public school. Private schools are schools that are not dependent upon national or local government to finance their fina ...
.
Cantonese communities
In
Cantonese
Cantonese is the traditional prestige variety of Yue Chinese, a Sinitic language belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family. It originated in the city of Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) and its surrounding Pearl River Delta. While th ...
-speaking Culture, which is more common in Southern China, the term ''Kwoon'' is also used when referring to:
* Police Stations - Chaai Kwoon ()
*
Mahjong Houses - Ma Jeuk Kwoon ()
*
Guild Halls - Wui Kwoon ()
See also
*
Chinese Martial Arts
Chinese martial arts, commonly referred to with umbrella terms Kung fu (term), kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (sport), wushu (), are Styles of Chinese martial arts, multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater Ch ...
*
Sifu
*
Dojo
References
Chinese martial arts terminology
Cantonese words and phrases
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