Kung fu and wushu are popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. However, the Chinese terms kung fu (Chinese: 功夫 ( pinyin: gōngfū) and wushu (traditional Chinese: 武術; simplified Chinese: 武术) have very distinct connotations.

Each term can describe different martial arts traditions and can also be used in a context without referencing martial arts. Colloquially, kung fu (or gung fu) alludes to any individual accomplishment or cultivated skill. In contrast, wushu is a more precise term that refers to general martial activities.

The term wushu has also become the name for a modern sport similar to gymnastics involving the performance of adapted Chinese bare-handed and weapons forms (tàolù 套路) judged to a set of contemporary aesthetic criteria for points.