Tongbeiquan
/tʰʊ́ŋ.pèɪ tɕʰyɛ̌n/noun
A Chinese martial art known for coordinated movements that transmit force through the back and limbs.
Did you know?The name emphasizes connected body mechanics: practitioners seek to link the back, shoulders, arms, and hands into one continuous force-producing action.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Chinese
通背
““Through the back” or “penetrating the back”; a phrase describing passage or connection through the back.”
Classical Chinese
Chinese
拳
“Fist; by extension, boxing or a martial-art system.”
Late Imperial China
Chinese
通背拳
“The established name of a Chinese boxing tradition, literally “through-the-back fist.””
19th–20th Century
Mandarin
Tōngbèi quán
“A traditional martial-art name associated with long, whipping actions and whole-body power transmission.”
Modern English
English
Tongbeiquan
“An English transliteration used for the Chinese martial art 通背拳.”