soeng5 maa5上馬上马
Jyutpingsoeng5 maa5
Yaleséuhng máh
Definition
To mount or ride a horse.
neutraldaily actionsanimals
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of mounting a horse, this term is frequently used in business or project management contexts to mean starting a new project or initiative. It carries a sense of momentum, implying that the planning phase is over and the actual work is beginning. When used in this figurative way, it often sounds more dynamic and decisive than simply saying start.
Examples
He learned how to ride a horse when he was very young.
Are you ready to get on the horse?
Related words
Common phrases
prepare to mount the horse
officially start the project
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the slang term 上位, which refers to someone gaining a higher social status or position. Using 上馬 to describe a person getting a promotion would be incorrect and confusing to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
