Today’s word of the day is 马 (mǎ) which is a noun that means horse. Let’s practice making different words, phrases, and sentences with 马 (mǎ).
马上 (mǎ shàng) Immediately / Soon
The first word is 马上 (mǎ shàng) which means immediately or soon. Let’s look at each character of this word, 马 means horse, and 上 means top. A way of using it in a sentence is: 我马上到。(Wǒ mǎshàng dào.) I will be there soon.
马马虎虎 (Mǎ mǎ hu hu) So so
A phrase we can create with 马 (mǎ) is 马马虎虎 (Mǎ mǎ hu hu). This means ‘so so’. Let’s again look at each character of this word, 马 means horse and 虎 (hǔ) means tiger, so it literally means horse horse tiger tiger. When someone asks you 你的中文说的怎么样？(Nǐ de zhōngwén shuō de zěnme yàng?) How is your Chinese? You can respond with modesty, by saying 马马虎虎 (Mǎ mǎ hu hu), even if you are great at speaking Chinese.
拍马屁 (Pāi mǎ pì) To flatter
Finally, we can create the word 拍马屁 (Pāi mǎ pì) which means ‘to flatter’. 拍 means ‘to pat’, 马 means ‘horse’ and 屁 means ass, so it literally means ‘to pat a horse’s ass’. A way of using it in a sentence is 别拍马屁了！(Bié pāimǎpìle!) Stop with the flattery!