wushu

Where does the word "wushu" come from? It comes from Chinese wǔshù, and was adopted directly into English (late 1900s).

Wushu’s story begins in Chinese: wǔshù meant “Chinese martial arts.” Literally 'martial art', adopted as the official modern term covering Chinese fighting arts and sport forms. It reached English by late 1900s as wushu. Borrowed as competitive wushu spread internationally through sport federations. Today, wushu means chinese martial arts, especially as practiced in the modern competitive sport.

1. Stage 1 · Chinese · 20th century wǔshù "Chinese martial arts", literally 'martial art', adopted as the official modern term covering Chinese fighting arts and sport forms.
2. Stage 2 · English · late 1900s wushu "Chinese martial arts, especially the modern competitive sport form", borrowed as competitive wushu spread internationally through sport federations.