馬 (mǎ) - Horse — a large domesticated mammal used for & also appears in many Chinese idioms and cultural

馬Tone 3

mǎ ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

馬 · mǎ

Horse — a large domesticated mammal used for riding, racing, and carrying loads;

also appears in many Chinese idioms and cultural references.

Horse — a large domesticated mammal used foralso appears in many Chinese idioms and cultural

Usage highlights

Horse ridingRacehorseHorse carriageHorsepowerKnightHorse stable

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 牛— ox, cow (slower animal)
  • 驴— donkey (considered inferior to horse)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He rides a horse (骑马).
  • The horse runs fast (马跑得快).
  • There are many horses at the ranch (马场有很多马).
  • Horse racing is a popular sport (赛马).

Collocations

  • Horse riding(骑马)
  • Racehorse(赛马)
  • Horse carriage(马车)
  • Horsepower(马力)
  • Knight(骑士马)
  • Horse stable(马厩)

Idioms

  • A single hand cannot clap — it takes two to make a quarrel(一个巴掌拍不响)
  • Point at a deer and call it a horse — deliberate misrepresentation(指鹿为马)
  • Horse to success — immediate success(马到成功)
  • Old horse knows the way — experience counts(老马识途)
  • Riding a horse to see flowers — superficial understanding(走马观花)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Horses were crucial in ancient Chinese warfare, transportation, and communication.
  • The horse is one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, representing energy, perseverance, and success.
  • In Chinese mythology, heavenly horses were believed to be divine creatures that could fly.
  • Horse symbolism is prominent in Chinese art, literature, and folklore as a symbol of speed, nobility, and success.

FAQ