ма
maDungan
The English word 'horse' can be translated into Chinese as ма (ma) or 馬 / 马.
Meaning: members of the species ''Equus ferus'' (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ма | ma | Dungan |
| 馬 / 马 | bé | Hokkien |
The term is used to refer to members of the species Equus ferus. In daily conversation, the phrase 马上 (mǎshàng) is used to express "immediately" or "right away".
Which one should you use?
The term 馬 / 马 (bé) is the Hokkien form, while ма (ma) is the Dungan form. In standard Mandarin, the term for horse is 马 (mǎ).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 馬 / 马 is used in Hokkien, and the form ма is used in Dungan.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ma.
Did you know?
- The surname 馬 is particularly common among Hui Muslims. In this specific community, it is likely derived from the Arabic name 'Muhammad'.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢骑马。I enjoy horseback riding.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “horse” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 馬, CC BY-SA 4.0.
