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上马 (shàng mǎ) — to mount a horse; to start (a project, undertaking, etc.)

Definition

Literally 'mount a horse,' 上马 (shàngmǎ) extends figuratively to mean launching a project or initiative. As a verb phrase it can also be split with 了 or 的 between the two characters (上了马).

verb
to mount a horseto start (a project, undertaking, etc.)

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā shàng le mǎ, rán hòu màn màn qí zǒu le.
    He mounted the horse and then slowly rode away.
  • 上马。
    Zhè ge gōng chéng míng nián shàng mǎ.
    This project will start next year.
  • 上马。
    Tā shàng mǎ de dòng zuò hěn shú liàn.
    His movements in mounting a horse are very skillful.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

上shàngmount
马mǎhorse

上 is to mount, and 马 is the horse being mounted.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

上 is drawn as a short horizontal line placed above a longer arc, marking a position above that arc.

Open 上 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 馬; 马 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 馬 shows a horse with its head facing left, a flowing mane, and two legs standing vertically.

Open 马 →
Appears in
Change & Process

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