2
0Year of the Horse Special: Learn Chinese with “马” Expressions & New Year Wishes
——Learn Practical Chinese for Chinese New Year with Chinese Surfing.
Welcome back to 畅说中文 (Chàng Shuō Zhōngwén) by Chinese Surfing.
In this Chinese New Year special episode, we celebrate the Year of the Horse (马年) by learning HSK Chinese vocabulary, common expressions, and New Year wishes related to “马” (horse).
Whether you are studying HSK 2, HSK 4, HSK 5–6, or already living in China, this episode helps you:
- Understand real Chinese words you hear every day
- Learn Chinese idioms used in greetings and wishes
- Use practical New Year expressions immediately
⏱ Episode Timeline & Learning Points
00:00–02:00 | Why the Year of the Horse Matters in Chinese Culture
In Chinese culture, the horse (马) symbolizes:
- Strength
- Speed
- Good luck
- Moving forward
This episode uses the Year of the Horse as a theme to help learners connect language with culture, which is one of the best ways to remember Chinese vocabulary.
02:00–05:30 | Basic Word: 马 (mǎ) &生肖 Years
- 马 (mǎ) – horse (3rd tone)
- The horse is the 7th animal in the Chinese zodiac
Horse years include:
2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954
Common questions:
- 你属马吗？(Are you born in the Year of the Horse?)
03:10–03:50 | Verb Phrase: 骑马 (qí mǎ)
- 骑马 – to ride a horse
Related verbs: - 骑自行车 (ride a bicycle)
- 骑电动车 (ride an e-bike)
- 骑摩托车 (ride a motorcycle)
Example sentences:
- 你会骑马吗？
- 我小时候学过骑马。
03:50–04:50 | Common Expression: 马上 (mǎshàng)
⚠️ A word many Chinese learners misunderstand!
- 马上 does not mean “on a horse”
- It means very soon
Examples:
- 我马上来。
- 老师马上就来了。
💡 Tip: Sometimes “马上” is flexible — you can ask politely how long it really means.
05:00–06:25 | Intermediate Vocabulary
马虎 (mǎhu) – careless / not careful
- 马虎虎 / 马马虎虎 – so-so
Examples: - 他做事有点马虎。
- 学中文不能马虎。
马路 (mǎlù) – road / street
Originally named because people used horses for transportation.
Examples:
- 过马路要小心。
- 下班的时候马路上车很多。
06:30–07:40 | Advanced Level: Chinese Idioms with 马
Perfect for HSK 5–6 learners or anyone interested in idioms.
马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng)
- Immediate success
- Common祝福 (wish)
Examples:
- 祝你考试马到成功！
- 祝你新的一年马到成功！
老马识途 (lǎo mǎ shí tú)
- An experienced person knows the way
- Trust experience and expertise
Learning Chinese with experienced teachers is like 老马识途 — it leads to 马到成功.
07:50–08:30 | Year of the Horse New Year Wishes
Common New Year wishes:
- 新年快乐
- 恭喜发财
- 万事如意
Year of the Horse wishes:
- 一马当先
- 事业一马平川
- 马到成功
Example full blessing:
祝你在马年身体健康，学习进步，马到成功！
08:50–End | Chinese Surfing Teachers’ New Year Wishes
Teachers from Chinese Surfing share their New Year wishes and hopes in simple, natural Chinese — perfect listening practice for learners.
📖 Key Vocabulary Summary
- 马 (mǎ) – horse
- 骑马(qímǎ) – ride a horse
- 马上(mǎshàng) – very soon
- 马虎(mǎhu） – careless
- 马路(mǎlù) – road
- 马到成功(mǎdàochénggōng) – immediate success
- 老马识途(lǎomǎshítú) – experience leads the way
💬 Join the Conversation
Would you like us to:
- Share more Chinese culture episodes?
- Teach real-life Chinese used in daily life?
- Answer your Chinese learning questions?
Leave a comment or send your questions — we may answer them in a future episode!
📩 Learn Chinese with Chinese Surfing
For Chinese classes or program consultation:
📧 Email: info@chinese-surfing.com
💬 WeChat: Chinesesurfing2
🎁 Free learning materials:
👉 www.chinese-surfing.com
📜 Want the full PDF script of this episode?
Email: daisy@chinese-surfing.com
🎉 Thank you for learning Chinese with us.
Happy Chinese New Year — 马到成功, and see you in the next episode!
