Do Kung Fu and Wushu apply to the same set of disciplines, or are they separate martial arts?

Question

Do Kung Fu and Wushu apply to the same set of disciplines, or are they separate martial arts?

Answer 1

I think so, based on my opinion, to me, wushu is the best because of its techniques of teaching. The forms are less stressful, and their moves are better effective when against an opponent. The power and air that you get is mostly from wushu. Kungfu is a good option, but I prefer Wushu because of its extended length of power and motion (moves).  

Answer 2

In Chinese, wu = martial, military, war; shu=skills, arts; kung = work; fu = master, mastery. Wu Shu is the proper term for martial arts of China. It is now the term used in Red China for a set of 5 disciplines: chuan fa = hand-to-hand; bo = staff; spear; broadsword and saber. Kung Fu simply indicates working hard to master some skill, e.g. the Emperor had a Kung Fu chef, and I am Kung Fu in Chinese martial arts, painting, philosophy and history. The Kung symbol has Li = Strength added to it for Kung Fu. Kung Fu is synonymous for Great Achievement. Kung Fu can be used for many styles, while lately in Red China, Wu Shu is more limited, but in practice, all martial arts of China are Wu Shu, while any skill can be Kung Fu. The situation is ambiguous. It is useful to know that Shaolin (Sil Lum in Cantonese) means Chan Buddhist boxing styles, and Tai Chi Chuan means those of Taoism. Chin Na refers to grappling styles, in general.

Answer 3

Back in the day Wushu and Kung fu were just two different names for the same thing, chinese martial arts, but today kung fu describes combative martial arts which is used for self defense, And wushu is used to describe sport martial arts which have no application for fighting what so ever.

Answer 4

they are the same its just that wushu is the modern look for kung fu that's why they made for it styles and rules and now open styles with tricks and judging but they are the same. but if you want to learn both you have to see someone who train them both not as different sports.

Answer 5

Wushu means martial art.

Kung Fu means the level you have achieved in anything you do, not only in martial arts but things like cooking and sports and writing. It means how good you are. It can apply to anything.

If you are very proficient in martial arts, it would be said that your kung fu is good - or your level of skill is good.

The wushu of today is more sport oriented. The more combative art is known as Kuoshu - central skill.