马
mǎ
Horse · trad. 馬
马 (mǎ) is the common word for "horse" and also refers to the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac. It is used for the animal itself and in phrases related to the Year of the Horse.
What does 马 (mǎ) mean?
马 (mǎ) means “horse” in English.
When to use it
Neutral and widely used for the animal. When referring to the zodiac, it's common to say 属马 (shǔ mǎ) to mean "born in the Year of the Horse" or 马年 (mǎnián) for "Year of the Horse."
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “mah” with a dipping, then rising tone, similar to the "ma" in "mama" if you say it with a questioning inflection. This is the third tone.
Other ways to say it
- 属马shǔ mǎborn in the Year of the Horse
- 马年mǎniánYear of the Horse
- 马到成功mǎ dào chénggōnginstant success (often used as a New Year greeting for the Year of the Horse)
Examples
我喜欢骑马。
wǒ xǐhuan qí mǎ.
I like riding horses.
我属马，你呢？
wǒ shǔ mǎ, nǐ ne?
I was born in the Year of the Horse, how about you?
祝你马年快乐，马到成功！
zhù nǐ mǎnián kuàilè, mǎ dào chénggōng!
Happy Year of the Horse and wishing you instant success!
Pro tip: 马 (mǎ) is a classic example for learning the third tone. Remember it as the dipping and rising tone, distinct from 妈 (mā, first tone), 麻 (má, second tone), and 骂 (mà, fourth tone).
Related phrases
兔子 · Rabbit蛇 · Snake山羊 · Goat
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