野马
yema
The English word 'mustang' is translated into Mandarin as 野马 (yema).
Meaning: horse (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
It is composed of 野 (yě), meaning 'wild' and 马 (mǎ), meaning 'horse'.
How do you pronounce it?
yema
Did you know?
- The word 马 is a classic example used to teach the four tones of Mandarin because changing the tone of 'ma' can change the meaning from 'horse' to 'mother' or 'hemp'.
- If you describe someone's thoughts as 野马 (yě mǎ), you are not talking about a literal horse, but rather saying their mind is wandering aimlessly or daydreaming.
- The character for 'wild' 野 (yě) is also the root of the modern Chinese word for 'amateur' or 'unprofessional', implying something untamed or lacking formal training.
Examples in context
- 我很喜欢野马。I really like Mustangs.
- 这是一只真正的美洲野马。This is a genuine Mustang from the Americas.
- 看那辆超酷的野马车！Look at that cool Mustang car!
- 那匹野马跑得很快。Nà pǐ yěmǎ pǎo de hěn kuài.That mustang runs very fast.
- 草原上有许多野马。Cǎoyuán shàng yǒu xǔduō yěmǎ.There are many mustangs on the grassland.
- 我们在照片里看到了野马。Wǒmen zài zhàopiàn lǐ kàndào le yěmǎ.We saw a mustang in the photo.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a nature documentary on TV.
- 伟 Wei你看，那是一匹野马。Nǐ kàn, nà shì yī pǐ yěmǎ.Look, that is a mustang.
- 欣怡 Xinyi它真的很漂亮。Tā zhēn de hěn piàoliang.It is really beautiful.
- 伟 Wei这匹野马看起来很强壮。Zhè pǐ yěmǎ kàn qǐlái hěn qiángzhuàng.This mustang looks very strong.
- 欣怡 Xinyi我也这么觉得。Wǒ yě zhème juéde.I think so too.
