skill; martial arts; time
Meanings
3 senses · 11 examplesnoun
skill; ability; mastery
Refers to skill, expertise, or mastery in a particular field, often gained through long-term practice.
He has profound mastery in calligraphy.
This carpenter's craftsmanship shows great skill.
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Playing chess also requires diligent practice to improve.
Effort will not disappoint those who are determined.
noun
martial arts; kung fu
Specifically refers to Chinese martial arts practices, techniques, and the discipline itself.
Bruce Lee is an internationally famous kung fu star.
He has been practicing Chinese martial arts since childhood.
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Shaolin Temple is famous for its martial arts.
The fight scenes in this kung fu movie are spectacular.
noun
time; effort; work
Used interchangeably with "工夫" (gōng fu). This reading has no separate pronunciation; it shares the same pronunciation as definitions 1 and 2. It refers to time, effort, or work spent on something.
Doing this took me quite a bit of time and effort.
He put a great deal of effort into learning English.
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With persistent effort, you can grind an iron rod into a needle. (Perseverance prevails.)