Translation and Meaning of: 馬 - uma
If you are studying Japanese, you have probably come across the kanji 馬 (うま - uma), which means "horse." But does this word go beyond the four-legged animal? In this article, you will discover the origin, everyday usage, and even curiosities about how this ideogram appears in expressions and in shogi, the Japanese chess. Here at Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you will also find the correct writing and ready-made sentences to add to Anki and boost your studies.
The kanji 馬 is one of those characters that carries history and culture. From its pictographic form to its use in proverbs, it reveals a lot about how the Japanese see the world. And if you've ever played shogi, you know that it also represents the promoted bishop — a powerful piece that dominates the board. Let's uncover all of this below!
The origin and etymology of 馬
The kanji 馬 originated in ancient China as a pictogram depicting a horse in profile, with a flowing mane and legs in motion. If you look closely, you can still see the silhouette of the animal: the four legs (the lower strokes), the raised head (the upper stroke), and even the tail (the small scribble on the right). This visual connection makes memorization easier, especially for those who are just starting to learn kanji.
In the Japanese language, うま (uma) is the kun'yomi reading, while the on'yomi "ba" appears in compound words such as 馬車 (basha - carriage) and 競馬 (keiba - horse racing). Interestingly, in ancient writing, the character was even more detailed, with strokes that resembled the muscles of the animal. Over time, the form was simplified but retained its pictographic essence.
Everyday use and popular expressions
In Japan, horses have always held historical significance — whether in agriculture, transportation, or even in samurai battles. It's no wonder that 馬 appears in so many expressions. One of the most well-known is 馬が合う (uma ga au), which literally means "the horses match," but signifies "getting along with someone." Can you imagine explaining that you and your friend are like two horses in sync?
Another gem is 馬の耳に念仏 (uma no mimi ni nenbutsu), or "praying into a horse's ear," used when someone ignores helpful advice. There is also 馬鹿 (baka), a common insult that originally mixed the kanjis for "horse" and "deer" to describe someone "so stupid that they confuse the two animals." The Japanese language really does not forgive!
The horse in shogi and cultural curiosities
In shogi, when a bishop (角 - kaku) reaches the opponent's territory, it can be promoted to 龍馬 (ryūma) — a "dragon horse" that moves like a bishop and king combined. This piece is so powerful that many players affectionately call it the "super bishop." Who would have thought that a simple kanji for horse could represent so much strategy?
Outside of the boards, horses are frequent figures in Japanese folklore. The 神馬 (shinme), for example, is a sacred horse that carries Shinto gods. At shrines like Nikko, it is still possible to see statues of these majestic animals today. And if you visit traditional stables, you might hear the guttural sound of "hihiin" — the Japanese equivalent of our "neigh."
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 馬 (uma) - Horse
- うまい (umai) - Delicious, well done
- うまみ (umami) - Flavor, especially the fifth taste (umami)
- うまれる (umareru) - born
- うまく (umaku) - Skillfully, well
- うまさ (umasasa) - Excellence, quality (of flavor)
- うまかった (umakatta) - It was delicious.
- うまくいく (umaku iku) - To succeed, to do well
- うまくいけば (umaku ikeba) - If all goes well
- うまくいった (umaku itta) - Was successful
- うまくいって (umaku itte) - If everything continues to go well
- うまくいけない (umaku ikenai) - Unable to succeed
- うまくいくと (umaku ikuto) - If all goes well
Related words
Romaji: uma
Kana: うま
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: 1. Horse; 2. Promoted Bishop (Shogi)
Meaning in English: 1. horse; 2. promoted bishop (shogi)
Definition: animal. He can run on all four legs.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (馬) uma
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (馬) uma:
Example Sentences - (馬) uma
See below some example sentences:
Baka wa jibun ga baka de aru koto ni kizukanai
A foolish person does not realize that he is a fool.
The idiot does not realize that he is stupid.
- 馬鹿 (baka) - fool, idiot
- 自分 (jibun) - Yourself
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 馬鹿 (baka) - fool, idiot
- である (dearu) - to be
- こと (koto) - Thing, fact
- に (ni) - Target particle
- 気づかない (kidzukanai) - do not realize
Mou bakabakashii koto wo iwanai de kudasai
Please don't say foolish things.
Don't say ridiculous things.
- 馬鹿 - dumb, stupid
- 馬鹿しい - Foolish, absurd
- こと - thing
- を - object particle
- 言わないで - do not say
- ください - Please
Bakarashii koto wo iwanaide kudasai
Please don't say foolish things.
Don't say something stupid.
- 馬鹿らしい - means "ridiculous" or "absurd".
- こと - means "thing" or "subject".
- を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
- 言わないで - negative form of the verb "to say" in the imperative, meaning "don't say".
- ください - polite form of the verb "to give", which indicates a request or demand.
Keiba wa Nihon de ninki no aru supootsu desu
Horse racing is a popular sport in Japan.
- 競馬 - Horses race
- は - Topic particle
- 日本 - Japan
- で - place particle
- 人気 - Popularity
- の - Possession particle
- ある - Verb "to be" in the present tense
- スポーツ - sport
- です - polite way of "being" in the present