The Chinese word **霹雳舞** (pīlìwǔ) for "breakdancing" is a vivid compound formed by combining **霹雳** (pīlì), meaning "thunderbolt" or "clap of thunder," with **舞** (wǔ), meaning "dance." The term is a descriptive translation that metaphorically captures the dance's explosive, sudden, and powerful movements—like the striking force and energy of a thunderbolt—characteristic of the street dance style's floor spins, freezes, and dynamic footwork.