7 popular Chinese horse idioms for you to trot out in the Year of the Horse
Horses symbolise strength, speed and health in Chinese culture. Here are seven sayings based on the animal, with Cantonese pronunciations
Horses played crucial roles in ancient China – in the military, transport and agriculture. People of different social classes interacted with and observed the animals, drawing inspiration for the arts, literature and mythology.
Over time, the horse became the subject of many idioms. Here are seven of the most popular horse-related expressions in Chinese, how to pronounce them in Cantonese and the stories behind them.
龍馬精神 Lung ma jing sun
Meaning “the spirit of dragons and horses”, this idiom is often used to wish someone well and bless them with vigour and vitality.
萬馬奔騰 Maan ma bun tang
This idiom roughly translates as “10,000 stallions galloping”, evoking a magnificent, thundering sound.