In most Western martial arts, there are special terms to refer to masters and fellow trainees. Anyone who has trained in a Japanese martial art knows that the correct way to refer to the master is to call him Sensei. In Korean martial arts, the master is called Sabeom. In both cases there are different names depending on the rank. In karate the 1st and 2nd dan are called Sensei, the 3rd and 4th are called Koshi, from the 5th onwards they are called Shihan, the leader of the style is called Kancho. Taekwondo calls Boosabum from 1st to 3rd dan, Sabeom from 4th to 6th dan, Sahyun from 7th to 8th dan and Saseong from 9th onwards.
Forms of treatment other than kung fu
Kung Fu also uses these forms of treatment extensively. The most commonly used word to refer to a master is Sifu (in Cantonese) or Shifu (in Mandarin). However, in the case of Chinese martial arts, the main difference among others is the meaning. Sensei (先生) literally means “born first”, and is used to refer to teachers in general, teachers, lawyers, doctors, politicians and authority figures – in Chinese these same characters are used to write “sir”. Sabeom (사범) literally means “model teacher”, it is only used for Chinese martial arts – this script also has its origins in Chinese hanzi, which is 師範. As for the word Sifu/Shifu, the writing is 師父/师父, where 師/师 (Si/Shi) means teacher, and 父 (Fu) means “father”; therefore Sifu is a teaching father, a father who teaches.
This is the main difference between Chinese nomenclatures: they are all familiar pronouns. There are some theories that explain this usage. This is probably an influence of Confucianism, which places the individual’s family as the most important thing in his life and as the pillar of society. Since for a kung fu master the martial art was his life, it is logical that his students and colleagues are like family.
Another possibility is that, in the past, kung fu was extremely important, being the lifestyle and source of power and prestige for a master. Therefore, they were extremely selective when it came to passing on their knowledge, as a traitorous student could outwit them and steal their place. For this reason, many styles were taught only among family members, never openly – so there are styles called Li Gar Kuen (“Li Family Fist”) or Mok Gar Kuen (“Mok Family Fist”), and lineages called Chen Taiji or Yang Taiji (Chen and Yang refer to the master’s family). Therefore, it would only be taught to close and trusted people, such as a child. Some traditional schools adopted initiation rituals, such as the tea ritual (拜師/拜师Baaisi/Baishi), a discipleship ceremony in which the student pledges allegiance to the master. There are also some terms used in kung fu such as “closed door student” (入室弟子 Yapsat Daiji/Rushi Dizi) – a student who is trusted by the master and who teaches in a special way, unlike the “general public” – and “heir” – a student who has absorbed all the master’s knowledge and is responsible for carrying the art forward.
In the past, kung fu training also required many years of practice. In some styles the student trained the basics, especially the horse, for a long time before learning anything else. Hung Gar students should be able to remain in the horse pose until an entire stick of incense burns – about 30 minutes. Some families where parents were very busy left their children in kung fu academies to learn the discipline and martial art under the care of the master. So much time spent with the master created a father-son relationship. In every traditional school a photo of a teacher hangs on the wall, just as a family spreads photos of relatives around the house.
The forms of treatment in Chinese martial art are not reserved only for masters, but for the entire «martial family». Interestingly, almost everyone uses the character 師/师 which means teacher, giving the idea that you can learn from anyone. Let’s see below:
Sifu/Shifu (師父/师父): As we saw earlier, this is what is called a master, “father teacher”. It applies only to the teacher himself, to what he teaches him. It is not a title or position, so you should not introduce your master as “this is so-and-so shifu,” much less introduce another master like this or call him by this term. It can be used when a reference is made, such as “this is so-and-so’s shifu.” Even your master’s husband can do it.
Sifu/Shifu (師傅/师傅): literally “master”. It has the same pronunciation as 師父, but can be used to designate a master in any field. It can be used to introduce a kung fu master, including the master himself. Although it is out of use, the term can be used to introduce a kung fu master, including yours as “this is so-and-so shifu”.
Lousi/Laoshi (老師/老师): literally “old master”. It is used to call teachers anything. It also means “coach”, “coach”. Modern Wushu teachers are generally called that.
Toudai/Tudi (徒弟): 徒 means “disciple, follower”. 弟 means “younger brother, junior”. It therefore means student, apprentice. It is a generic term.
Sihing/Shixiong (師兄/师兄): 兄 means “older brother”. He is an older male colleague.
Sidai/Shidi (師弟/师弟): younger male colleague. «Younger brother.»
Sije/Shijie (師姐/师姐): 姐 means “big sister”. She is an older colleague.
Simui/Shimei (師妹/师妹): 妹 means “younger sister”. She is a younger colleague.
Simou/Shimu (師母/师母): 母 means “mother”. There’s a debate here. Many use this term to refer to the master’s wife and believe that a master should also be called Sifu/Shifu. Others already argue that it should be used to call a master.
Sitai/Shitai (師太/师太): 太 means “too much”, but 太太 means “lady”. She is Sigung/Shigong’s wife.
Sigung/Shigong (师公/师公): the master’s master. «Grandmother».
Sipo/Sipo (师婆/师婆): 婆 means “grandmother”. Shigong/sigung’s wife, or, from another point of view, is his master’s teacher.
Sijou/Shizu (师祖/师祖): 祖 means “ancestor, grandfather”. Master of the same master or perhaps of several generations above.
Sibak/Shibo (師伯/师伯): 伯 means “elder uncle”. His master’s older male colleague.
Sisuk/Shishu (師叔/师叔): 叔 means “younger uncle”. His master’s younger male colleague.
Sigma/Shiguma (Master’s aunt/master’s aunt): Colega mulher mais velha do seu mestre.
Siguje/Shigujie (師姑姐/师姑姐): younger colleague of his master.
Yes like you (師伯娘/师伯娘): Wife of her master’s older male colleague.
Sesame/Bottle (師嬸/师婶): wife of his master’s younger colleague.
Sijat/Shizhi (師侄/师侄): 侄 means cousin. Student of a colleague of his master.
Sijat/Shizhi (師姪/师姪): 姪 means cousin, has the same pronunciation as 侄. Student of a colleague of his master. Sijat neui/Shizhi nui (師侄女/师侄女) can also be used.
Jousiye / Zushiye (ancestor/grand master): Mestre-fundador, padroeiro.
Jungsi/Jongshi (宗師/宗师): ancestral master, master of a tradition.
Text by Murilo Caruy Póvoa, adapted from the text by Rafael Beltrame.
Notes: In this text, Chinese words have been romanized with Cantonese Yale and Mandarin Pinyin, respectively, separated by a forward slash (/). The characters were entered in traditional and simplified Chinese respectively, separated by a slash.
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