Onyomi: バ · Kunyomi: うま, うま-, ま · Meanings: horse
Kanji for horse
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The kanji 馬 originally came from a pictograph of a horse. Early versions showed the head, mane, back, and four legs of the animal, capturing the general shape and movement of a horse. People used this character to represent horses themselves, which were vital for transportation, farming, and communication. Over time, the strokes were simplified, but the character retained the visual essence of a horse — four legs, a tail, and a mane flowing along the back. Today, 馬 continues to mean “horse” and is associated with speed, strength, and travel.
馬 is a pictograph of a horse, showing its legs, back, mane, and tail — representing the animal itself.
Imagine a horse standing in front of you — four legs, a flowing mane, and a tail swishing behind. That’s 馬, the horse.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 馬 | うま | horse | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 馬鹿 | ばか | idiot, moron, fool | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 馬鹿らしい | ばからしい | absurd, foolish, stupid, silly, nonsense, ludicrous, preposterous, laughable, ridiculous | common JLPT-N2 JLPT-N1 I-adjective (keiyoushi) |
| 馬穴 | バケツ | bucket, pail | common JLPT-N2 Noun |
| 馬車 | ばしゃ | coach (horse-drawn), carriage, wagon, cart | common Noun |
| じゃが芋 | じゃがいも | potato (Solanum tuberosum) | common Noun |
| 馬力 | ばりき | horsepower, hp | Noun |
| 馬術 | ばじゅつ | horsemanship, equestrian art, (art of) riding | Noun |
| 馬鹿馬鹿しい | ばかばかしい | absurd, ridiculous, silly, ludicrous, nonsensical, asinine, foolish | JLPT-N1 I-adjective (keiyoushi) |
| 馬券 | ばけん | betting ticket, betting slip | common Noun |