What Does "San Soo" Mean? Origins, History, and Meaning Explained
What Does San Soo Mean?
San Soo (also known as Chinese San Soo) roughly translates to “loose techniques” or “separate fighting methods.”
The term comes from Chinese:
“San” = separate, scattered, free
“Soo” (Shu) = technique, method, or art
Together, San Soo refers to a system made up of practical combat techniques rather than formalized sport movements.
Unlike modern competitive martial arts, San Soo was designed as a self-defense fighting system focused on real-world survival.
What Is Chinese San Soo?
Chinese San Soo is a traditional martial art brought to the United States in the early 20th century by Jimmy H. Woo.
It emphasizes:
Close-range striking
Joint locks
Throws and sweeps
Rapid combination attacks
Defending against grabs and punches
San Soo is often described as a practical self-defense system rather than a sport martial art.
There are no tournaments.
No point sparring.
No Olympic competition.
The focus is effectiveness in real-world altercations.