In trying to learn the descriptive names for 32-sword, I’ve added some new vocabulary. Of course, jian is sword. A number of the new words describe stances.

Sifu Amin Wu demonstrates 32-sword

• Gong Bu – Bow stance
• Ma Bu – Horse stance
• Xu Bu – Empty stance (aka cat stance)
• Pu Bu – Half-squat (I think; squat with one leg extended)
• Xie Bu – Cross stance
• Bing Bu – Feet together

Then there are words for moving this way and that, which I’ve also encountered in empty-hand forms:

• Jin Bu – Advance (a step)
• Tui Bu – Step back
• Xia Bu – Step down
• Shang Bu – Step up

More specific to sword play:

• Ci – Stab
• Dian – Point
• Sao – Sweep
• Dai – Carry
• Pi – Chop
• Lun – Wheel or whirl
• Chou – Withdraw
• Liao – Lift
• Lan – Block

Here’s a good dictionary, by the way: MDBG English to Chinese.