馬
JLPT N3
Horse
Readings
On’yomi: バ, マ (ba, ma)
Kun’yomi: うま, ま (uma, ma)
• うま – horse
• ま – horse (used in compounds or poetic/literary usage)
Structure
Composition:
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Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
馬
うま
horse
馬車
ばしゃ
carriage
競馬
けいば
horse racing
乗馬
じょうば
horseback riding
木馬
もくば
wooden horse
Example Sentences
馬が走ります。
うま が はしります。
The horse runs.
馬車に乗ります。
ばしゃ に のります。
I ride a carriage.
競馬を見ます。
けいば を みます。
I watch horse racing.
乗馬します。
じょうば します。
I go horseback riding.
木馬です。
もくば です。
It is a wooden horse.
Cultural Note
🐴 Horses (馬) have long been symbols of nobility, strength, and speed in Japanese history and culture.
• In ancient Japan, horses were vital for transport and warfare — samurai relied on them for mobility.
• Temples often have ema (絵馬) — small wooden plaques shaped like horses — on which people write prayers or wishes.
→ “Ema” literally means “picture horse,” originally used to offer horse paintings to the gods.
• Expressions like 馬が合う (うま が あう) mean “to get along well” (literally, “the horses match well”).
• In ancient Japan, horses were vital for transport and warfare — samurai relied on them for mobility.
• Temples often have ema (絵馬) — small wooden plaques shaped like horses — on which people write prayers or wishes.
→ “Ema” literally means “picture horse,” originally used to offer horse paintings to the gods.
• Expressions like 馬が合う (うま が あう) mean “to get along well” (literally, “the horses match well”).