ມ້າ
mā[maː˥˨]
The Lao word for horse is ມ້າ (mā).
The term refers to members of the species Equus ferus.
Meaning: members of the species ''Equus ferus'' (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
mā
Did you know?
- Historically, the Ahom people of India used a form of the word ມ້າ because they shared the same linguistic roots as the Lao.
- The term ມ້າ can be used in compound words to describe things with horse-like qualities, such as a 'horse-faced' person, which is not always a compliment.
- In Lao culture, horses are not native to the lowland plains and were historically imported from highland regions or neighboring countries.
Examples in context
- ຂ້ອຍເຫັນມ້າແລ່ນຢູ່ໃນທົ່ງຫຍ້າ.khoy hen ma laen yu nai thong nya.I saw a horse running in the meadow.
- ມ້າໂຕນີ້ແຂງແຮງຫຼາຍ.ma to ni khaeng haeng lai.This horse is very strong.
- ລາວຂີ່ມ້າໄປຫາໝູ່.lao khi ma pai ha mu.He rides a horse to see his friend.
Example conversation
Two friends are visiting a farm.
- Aເບິ່ງມ້າໂຕນັ້ນດູ!beung ma toh nan du!Look at that horse!
- Bມັນສວຍງາມແທ້.man suay ngam thae.It is really beautiful.
- Aເຈົ້າຢາກຂີ່ມ້າບໍ່?chao yak khi ma bo?Do you want to ride the horse?
- Bບໍ່, ຂ້ອຍຢ້ານ.bo, khoy yan.No, I am afraid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “horse” translations and entries ມ້າ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ມ້າ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
