![]() ![]() If you are willing to make a sincere commitment to learn the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu under my guidance and I choose to accept you as my student, I welcome you to call me "Sifu" 師傅 as you embark on your journey in this wonderful art.Sifu is an action roguelike beat 'em up video game developed and published by French studio Sloclap. I am, however, confident in my ability to pass on the art of Wing Chun in a manner that is organized, practical, and digestible for those who have good character as well as the time, will, and drive to learn. I do not claim to be a "master", and it is not my concern whether I will ever be called a "master" by anyone. This art is the product of generations of human ingenuity and it is my hope that I will still be tapping into this vast reservoir of knowledge decades from now. I consider myself a student for life of Wing Chun. "Master" is a gross mistranslation of the term "Sifu" ( 師傅 or 師父). Nor should your students be considered or treated as your servants. You are not the "master" or your art it enhances but does not serve you. Your art or skill is a path/gateway offering you self-discovery and self-improvement. ![]() Master goes hand and hand with servant, or slave. Even when referred to as a "master" by others, someone who embraces kung fu does not find much value or comfort in the term. This kind of title is an honor is sometimes bestowed upon a person by others. Traditionally, a person does not proclaim her/himself as a master as this is considered taboo. Regardless of which characters are used, in the international community the term "Sifu" is often translated as "master". which should be carefully considered before either the teacher or student accepts their respective roles. There is a Chinese saying "一日為師,終身為父" that roughly translates to "even if only my teacher (SiFu 師父) for one day, he is my father for life." This shows the significance of this relationship. This is a completely different concept. Traditionally only those who have been accepted as a disciple (or at least a long term student) and therefore have entered into the lifelong father-child type of relationship with their instructor will refer to their instructor as 師父. In the case of 師父 (also pronounced "Sifu"), 師 is "position/role of" and 父 is "father". After getting a ride, you might say "xie xie (thank you), Sifu." In the typical teacher-student relationship these days, the term for your instructor is 師傅 - not 師父 - denoting your relationship is only that of a student and an instructor. In fact, it's common in China for any skilled person, say a cab driver, to be called 師傅 Sifu as a sign of respect. "Sifu" 師傅 is not reserved solely for martial arts instructors. Because someone has the expertise and is willing to teach, they are "a person in a position to assist" you. ![]() 師 means "position/role of" and 傅 means "to assist or help". This word actually represents two distinct terms that sound the same. An instructor of Chinese martial arts is traditionally called "Sifu" by students. ![]()
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