Tan Tui

Tan Tui (traditional Chinese: 彈腿; simplified Chinese: 弹腿; pinyin: Tán Tuǐ) may refer to a particular style of Chinese Martial Arts (commonly called Kung Fu or Gung Fu (Chinese: 功夫; pinyin: Gōng Fu), but more accurately called Wushu (traditional Chinese: 武術; simplified Chinese: 武术; pinyin: Wǔ shù) bearing the name Tantui, a form(s), set(s) or routine(s) – popularly known by the Japanese term Kata, but the Chinese term is (Chinese: 套路; pinyin: Tào lù) Taolu – bearing this Tantui name in many different styles, or perhaps a specific type of front snap kick – also bearing the Tantui name.

As a form, routine or set, Tantui can be found in many Northern styles of Chinese martial arts. Its prevalence being so widespread, a common saying among Chinese martial artists has evolved: If your Tán Tuǐ is good, your kung fu will be good.

The term 'Tán Tuǐ' itself has been translated into English a variety of ways, with the most prevalent equating to "Springing Leg." Others are Pond Leg, Tam's (as in surname – used to represent name of a family style of Chinese Martial Arts) Kicks, Pond Kicks and others. The name has been translated several different ways, with the most prevalent being that of 'springing leg'. The term is made up of two Chinese words or characters. Everyone tends to agree on the second word or character: 腿. In standard Mandarin Chinese, this is represented by the Pinyin romanization as Tuǐ, and literally means leg, thigh, shank, etc. However, in the world of martial arts, this has generally been accepted to mean 'kick,' or more specifically, a type of front snap kick.

The first Chinese character or word that makes up the term, however, is the one that tends to bring some confusion. The exact reasoning for the variations is unknown, however may be tied-in with the varying accounts of the form and / or style's origins and history.

Tán Tuǐ is deeply rooted in China's Hui ethnic group of people.