Kwoon

Training hall for Chinese Martial Arts

Kwoon

Traditional Chinese| 館
Simplified Chinese| 馆
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Guǎn

The word Kwoon 館 (Cantonese) or Guǎn 館 (Mandarin) is a cultural term that is common in spoken and written Chinese. In Cantonese, it is sometimes also transliterated as Kwan.[1][2] 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

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In modern-day Chinese vernacular, the term is most often used for describing a training hall for Chinese Martial Arts.[3][4] In this context, the complete term would be either Mou Kwoon 武館 (Cantonese) or Wuguan 武館 (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.[5]

## Official usage in the People's Republic of China

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In the PRC's Standard Mandarin Chinese, the word Guǎn can also mean:[6][7]

* 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.

## Cantonese communities

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In Cantonese-speaking Culture, which is more common in Southern China, the term Kwoon is also used when referring to:

* Police Stations - Chaai Kwoon (差館)
* Mahjong Houses - Ma Jeuk Kwoon (麻雀館)
* Guild Halls \- Wui Kwoon (會館)

## See also

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* Chinese Martial Arts
* Sifu
* Dojo

## References

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1. ^ Webb, Jeffrey D. (2020). The Broken Rice Bowl. ISBN 978-1727619683.
2. ^ Judkins, Benjamin N. (2016). Creation of Wing Chun, The: A Social History of the Southern Chinese Martial Arts. State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-1438456942.
3. ^ Small, Mark (2011). Taiji, Xingyi, and Baguaquan Throwing By Way of Our Modern Masters: A Primer in Nei Jia—Internal Chinese Martial Arts with 37 Throwing Applications. ISBN 978-1257866137.
4. ^ Ripski, Neil (2013). Standing On Iron Mountain. ISBN 978-1304726469.
5. ^ Bluestein, Jonathan (2024). Martial Arts Politics Explained. Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp. ISBN 979-8335564984.
6. ^ People's Republic of China. A Chinese-English Dictionary (Revised Edition) 1978. Hong Kong: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 1978.
7. ^ MDBG English to Chinese Dictionary; https://www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?wdqr=館|馆[guan3]&wdrst=0

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