Let's study the language of horses / 2026 New Year's Greetings (Japanese Learning Support LLC)
Happy New Year 2026
I hope the new year will be wonderful
I wish you all good health and happiness.
Tokyo was blessed with pleasant winter skies from January 1st, making it a refreshing New Year's Day for a walk.
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful New Year's holiday.
In Japan, people look forward to receiving New Year's cards, which are letters of greeting sent once a year.
This year's character is the horse , which means we're halfway through the cycle of the zodiac.
Today, in honor of this year's animal (zodiac sign), the horse 🐴, I'd like to take a look at words related to horses.
If you find something that makes you think, "Oh! That's nice," feel free to use it in your everyday conversations.
Becoming fluent in Japanese starts with daily study and "just trying to speak!"
Let's work hard at our studies this year with us at JLS!
The horses are compatible [5]: u ma ga au
Meaning: This refers to a "good chemistry" (with someone), where you get along well, your personalities match, and your tastes are perfect, or to the feeling of a comfortable relationship where you are a "perfect match" as partners or friends.
*It is said that riding a horse will not go well unless the rider and horse are in sync, and that one can only ride a horse well when they are in perfect harmony.
example:
A: Yamada from the boxing club and Tanaka from the manga club don't look alike at all, but they get along well.
[13,15,10,7]：bo ku shi N gu bu no ya ma da ku N to, ma N ga sa a ku ru no ta na ka ku N t te, ze N ze N ni te na i no ni, na ka ga ii yo ne
B: Yeah, they don't really know for sure themselves, but they seem to get along well with horses !
[2,19,13]: u N, fu ta ri ji shi N mo yo ku wa ka ra na i so o da ke do, fu shi gi to u ma ga au N da t te
example:
A: Hey, is it okay if a friend from middle school asks you to start a company with him?
[2, 18,13,7]: ne e, chu u ga ku ji da i no yu u ji N ni ta no ma re te, is sho ni ka i sha tsu ku ru na N te, da i jyo o bu na no
B: Yeah, I've always gotten along well with him. I'm sure it will work out!
[2,17,9]：u N, ai tsu to wa mu ka shi ka ra u ma ga au N da, ki t to u ma ku i ku yo
Ride a horse, walk with a man [9,9]: u ma ni wa no t te mi yo, hi to ni wa so u te mi yo
Meaning: You can't really know a person's good or bad points until you get to know them, so it's important to experience all kinds of things, and that's how you can understand a person's character.
* Try riding a horse and being with people. Then you'll understand.
example:
A: I left my smartphone in the station toilet yesterday...
[3,17]: ki no o, e ki no to i re ni su ma ho wa su re cha t te ne
B: Eh? That's terrible... So, what happened?
[2,6,3,5]：ee, ta i he N jya N, so re de, do o shi ta no
A: Yamada happened to see me and ran after me onto the train, and when we walked home together he was such a fun kid!
[12,23,9,13]: ta ma ta ma mi ka ke ta ya ma da ga, de N sha no na ka ma de ha shi t te oi ka ke te ki te ku re te ne, is sho ni ka et ta ra, su go ku o mo shi ro i ko da t ta yo
B: Wow, it sounds a bit nerdy and dark, but the saying " Ride a horse, hang out with people " is really true.
[2,17,9,9,11]: he e, na N ka o ta ku p po ku te ku ra so o da ke do, u ma ni wa no t te mi yo, hi to ni wa so o te mi yo , t te ho N to o na N da na a
example:
A: Hey, what happened with Tanaka? *Tanaka = B's new boyfriend
[4,13]: ne e ne e, ta na ka ku N to wa do o na t ta no
B: Oh, we broke up already!
[2,6]: aa, mo o wa ka re ta
A: What?! I was so happy when you confessed to me two weeks ago!
[2,8,17]: ee, ni shu u ka N ma e ni, ko ku ha ku sa re ta t te yo ro ko N de ta no ni
B: Well, he always asks me to pay for everything, whether it's at a family restaurant or karaoke. I never thought he'd be such a stingy guy.
[3, 10, 14,18]：Da t te, fa mi re su mo ka ra o ke mo, wa ta shi ni o go re t te iu N da yo, a N na ke chi na o to ko da to o mo wa na ka t ta
A: It's true that the saying goes, "Ride a horse, be with a person ."
[9,11,9]: u ma ni wa no t te mi yo, hi to ni wa so o te mi yo t te, ho N to o na N da ne e
(↑※As you can see, it can be used in both good and bad ways.)
An old horse never forgets its way [14]: oi ta ru u ma wa mi chi o wa su re zu
Meaning: This means that people with a lot of life experience have solid thoughts and judgments and can definitely be trusted.
*This phrase is said to have come from a story about a man who, long ago, was lost deep in the mountains and so he let go of an old horse and followed it, eventually finding his way safely.
example:
A: Suzuki-san has been telling me for the past two years, "Take good care of Chen-san from Company X."
[14,22,7]: su zu ki sa N ga ni ne N mo ma e ka ra, ek ku su sha no chi N sa N wa ta i se tsu ni shi na sa it te, it te ta N da yo
B: I never thought that Chen-san would become the sales manager at X Company's Tokyo headquarters at such a young age! I was surprised.
[14,27]: ma sa ka chi N sa N ga a no wa ka sa de, ek ku su sha to o kyo o ho N sha no ei gyo o bu cho o ni na ru na N te ne
A: Oh, Suzuki-san, you have an incredible eye for people and foresight into the future. It really is like the saying goes, "An old horse never forgets its way ."
[2,12,16,5,20]: aa, su zu ki sa N no hi to o mi ru me, sho o ra io mi ru me wa su go i mo no da ne, ho N to o ni, oi ta ru u ma wa mi chi o wa su re zu t te ko to da ne
B: Oh come on! Suzuki-san will get angry if you say "I'm getting old."
[1,2,20]: a, mo o, oi ta ru na N te it ta ra su zu ki sa N o ko ru yo
Preaching to the ears of a horse [10]: u ma no mi mi ni ne N bu tsu
Meaning: No matter what you say or how you teach them, they don't seem to be listening at all, so it 's not effective .
*It is said that this is because even if you make a horse listen to the gracious teachings of Buddha (Nenbutsu), it will not understand them at all and it is meaningless.
example:
A: No matter how many times I tell my son to stop using his smartphone while eating, he just can't stop.
[15,18]：u chi no mu su ko ni na N ka iit te mo, sho ku ji chu u no su ma ho o ya me ra re na i N da
B: It's the same for us. It's like preaching to the deaf for kids these days.
[8,4,8,12,7]: u chi mo o na ji da yo,ma t ta ku, sa i ki N no ko ni wa, u ma no mi mi ni ne N bu tsu t te, to ko ro mi ta i da
example:
A: Yamada-senpai has been scolded again for working overtime all night at the office.
[7,22]: ya ma da se N pa i, ma ta ji mu sho de te tsu ya no za N gyo o shi te o ko ra re te ru
B: It's impressive how enthusiastic he is, but if he's preaching to deaf ears like that, I'm sure the manager will eventually want to give up.
[12,17,21]：ne s shi N na no wa su go i ke do, a so ko ma de u ma no mi mi ni ne N bu tsu da to, ka cho o mo ii ka ge N a ki ra me ta ku na ru da ro o na
Everything happens like a horse. [7,7]
Meaning: The world is full of surprises and it is impossible to predict whether a good future will come or whether it will end badly. In other words, it is impossible to know what will lead to good or bad things.
*This phrase is said to come from an old story in which an old man's horse ran away and then a series of good and bad things started happening in an unexpected way.
example:
A: That time, I happened to be looking for my dropped smartphone and ended up being late, so I didn't have to get on 'that train'.
[4,26,17]: a no to ki, ta ma ta ma o to shi ta su ma ho o sa ga shi te i te o so ku na t ta ka ra, a no de N sha ni no ra na ku te su N da N da yo
B: If I had been riding, I would have had an accident... No, just thinking about it makes me shiver. It was dangerous.
[16,3,19,7]：Mo shi no t te i ta ra ji ko ni at te i ta, uu N, ka N ga e ta da ke de bu ru bu ru fu ru e ga ku ru yo, a bu na ka t ta ne
A: Smartphones are gone, but it's true that things happen unexpectedly in life .
[11,5,19]：su ma ho wa na ku na t ta ke do, ho N to o ni, ni N ge N ba N ji sa ioo ga u ma na N da na a
example:
A: I saw it on a variety show yesterday, but a young woman was dating an incredibly handsome celebrity and was on the verge of getting married!
[20,30,18]: ki no o no ba ra e ti ba N gu mi de mi ta N da ke do ne, a ru wa ka i jyo se i ga su g go ii ke me N no se re bu to o tsu ki aio shi te, ke k ko N su N ze N ma de it te ta N da t te
B: Hmm, so what?
[3,3]：fu u N, so re de
A: Apparently she looked really happy. But then... that fateful night! Apparently, a ring had been put in the cake prepared for the proposal as a surprise, and she choked on it and nearly died. She was rushed to the hospital...
[19,3,12,44,17,14]: ka no jyo su go ku shi a wa se so o da t ta N da t te, so re ga, u N me i no yo ru no ko to da yo, pu ro po o zu no ta me ni yo oi sa re ta ke e ki no na ka ni sa pu ra i zu de yu bi wa ga i re ra re te i ta mo no da ka ra, no do ni tsu ma ra se te shi ni ka ke ta N da t te, so no ma ma byo oi N ni ha ko ba re te
B: Well, as the saying goes, everything happens for a reason , but it's a shame.
[3,21,8]: uu N, ni N ge N ba N ji sa ioo ga u ma to wa iu ke re do, ka wa i so o da na a
To take advantage of a living horse's eyes [9]: i ki u ma no me o nu ku
Meaning: This describes someone who acts very quickly, who lives to win the game even if it means making others suffer if given the slightest opportunity, who is cunning, clever , and not to be let down .
*This is an incredibly quick and swift approach, as it involves plucking out the eyes of a living horse (in a flash).
example:
A: Hey, listen! My ex-boyfriend, who I broke up with last week, is dating my classmate, Y!
[5,32]: ne e ki i te, se N shu u wa ka re ta ka re shi ga ku ra su me e to no wa i ko to tsu ki at te ru N da yo
B: They say you should take advantage of a living horse , but I can't believe it! You have a face like a horse!
[15,7,18]： i ki u ma no me o nu ku to wa iu ke do, shi N ji ra re na i, ji bu N ga u ma mi ta i na ka o shi te ru ku se ni
example:
A: They say it's a cutthroat big city, but Tokyo is a great city.
[22,12]： i ki u ma no me o nu ku da i to ka i na N te iu ke re do, to o kyo o wa ii ma chi da yo ne
B: Yes, for starters, there aren't many dangerous situations (for example, you can go to the toilet in a cafe with your laptop open and it's no problem), and wherever you eat, the food is delicious and the people are friendly. Since joining my current company and moving to Tokyo, I've only had fond memories.
[2,14,20,21,15]: u N, ma zu a bu na i ko to mo su ku na i shi, do ko de go ha N o ta be te mo oi shi ku te shi N se tsu, i ma no ka i sha ni ha it te to o kyo o ni hi k ko shi te, ta no shi io mo i de ba k ka ri da na a
If you want to shoot the general, first shoot the horse. [11,7]
Meaning: The idea is that in order to reach the final goal, it's a good idea to first target the things around you and clear them one by one. Whether this is good sportsmanship or not, it does teach a clever way to win a game.
*It is difficult to defeat a general right from the start. First, you must knock down the horse he is riding on and get him to stand on the ground. After that, you can achieve your goal. This is apparently a line from an old Chinese poem.
example:
A: My company is going to stop TV commercials and become a sponsor of a marathon!
[6,14,17]: u chi no ka i sha, ko N do te re bi shi ie mu o ya me te, ma ra so N no su po N sa a ni na ru N da t te
B: I see, so you're not just targeting the young people joining the company as new graduates, but also wanting to make our company's name known to their "family," who have a big influence on their job search, in other words, the parent generation.
[4,54,31]: na ru ho do, shi N so tsu nyu u sha su ru wa ka mo no ho N ni N da ke ni mu ke ta a pu ro o chi jya na ku te shu u sho ku ka tsu do o ni oo ki ku ei kyo o su ru ka zo ku, tsu ma ri o ya se da i ni mo wa ga sha no na ma eo shi t te mo ra oo to iu no da ne
A: If you want to shoot the general, first shoot the horse , right?
[25]: sho ooi N to ho s su re ba ma zu u ma oi yo to iu ko to ka a
example:
A: Oh no, I didn't even get any obligatory chocolate from Ms. Y. (In Japan, boys also look forward to Valentine's Day with excitement and nervousness.)
[3,21]：a ah a, wa i ko sa N ka ra wa gi ri cho ko mo mo ra e na ka t ta yo
B: That's too bad. Ah! But that chocolate was from Y's classmate, right? Why don't you start by giving her a White Day gift in return?
[8,1,2,24,7,25]：za N ne N da t ta ne, a, de mo, so no cho ko wa wa i ko no ku ra su me e to ka ra mo ra t ta N de sho, ma zu wa so no ko ni, ho wa i to de e no o ka e shi o su ru ko to ka ra ha ji me ta ra do o
A: I see, so if you want to shoot the general, first shoot the horse !
[4,25]: na ru ho do, sho ooi N to ho s su re ba ma zu u ma oi yo to iu ko to da ne
Jump on the bandwagon [7]: shi ri u ma ni no ru
Meaning: This refers to the state of mind of mindlessly going along with other people's opinions and ideas without having any policies of your own.
*It seems that this expression came about when people saw people simply sitting on the back of a two-seater horse or riding a horse that just followed what was in front of it.
example:
A: Oh, then I'd like a chocolate parfait too.
[1,2,18]：a, jya a, bo ku mo cho ko re e to pa fe oo ne ga i shi ma su
B: Wait a minute! You're getting fat because you're always riding on someone else's coattails ! You should have a salad.
[6,28,11]: cho t to ma t te, i tsu mo da re ka no shi ri u ma ni no t te ba ka ri i ru ka ra fu to ru N da yo, ki mi wa sa ra da ni shi na sa i
example:
A: They're singing "Kiss" again.
[5,6]：Ma ta ki s su, u ta t te ru yo
B: That girl always follows Section Chief Yamada when she comes to karaoke, it's no fun!
[3,8,19,9]: a no ko, ka ra o ke ni ki te mo, ya ma da ka cho o no shi ri u ma ni no t te ba ka ri de, o mo shi ro ku na i yo ne
(I think that everyone, for better or worse, jumps on the bandwagon! Looking at this from a different angle, it can also be called 'reading the air'. So what is the difference between 'jumping on the bandwagon' and 'reading the air'?)
Even a horseman needs a costume [7]: ma go ni mo i sho o
Meaning: No matter what kind of person (of low status) they are, they can look beautiful if they put effort into fashion . (Note: Simply put, "Even a horse-drawn carriage needs a dress" is not a compliment, so be careful! )
*This expression is apparently used because even horsemen who pull horses and carry luggage can look pretty good if they wear nice clothes.
example:
A: Wow, what a wonderful photo. (Looking at the photo and pointing at the man in the center) Is this young man in the suit your little child?! He's grown up so much!
[2,11,11,17,14]: wa a, su te ki na o sha shi N de su ne, ko no su u tsu no se i ne N ga, a no chi i sa ka t ta o ko sa N na N de su ka, su k ka ri ri p pa ni na ri ma shi ta ne
B: No, no, even Umako has a costume . I started university this spring, and I'm in the sports club so I'm always sweating.
[4, 10,19,20]: ieie, ma go ni mo i sho o de su yo, ko no ha ru ni da i ga ku ni ha it ta N de su ke do, u N do o bu de a se o ka i te ba k ka ri i ma su yo
↑※This is probably the most common situation when speaking humbly (i.e., being considerate and keeping a low position/not behaving arrogantly) to your family or relatives.
Example: (↓※As a scene from home one morning)
A: Oh, it's you, sister. I'm surprised. I thought you were going to a junior's wedding today?
[1,5,6,23]：a, ne e sa N ka, bi k ku ri shi ta, kyo o wa ko o ha i no ke k ko N shi ki ni i ku N da t ta k ke
B: Yeah, but... What do you mean, "surprised"?
[5,3,14]：so o da ke do, na ni yo, bi k ku ri shi ta t te do oiui mi
A: Well, I mean, I thought it was a good costume for a horse driver .
[2,7,15]: i ya, tsu ma ri a re da yo, ma go ni mo i sho o da na t te o mo t te
B: What a rude little brother! He was so cute when he was little!!
[15,15]: ho N to o ni shi tsu re i na o to o to ne, chi i sa i to ki wa ka wa i ka t ta no ni
Stilts Friends [6]: chi ku ba no to mo
Meaning: This refers to a best friend you've had since you were a little child . A very close childhood friend .
*In an old Chinese tale, this phrase is depicted as an episode of a fight between two rival men, but the meaning has since changed slightly. It is still a useful phrase today.
example:
A: Even though your jobs and lifestyles are completely different, you still meet up with Tanaka every year. You two have always been good friends since your student days (a long time ago).
[22,22,26]: shi go to mo se i ka tsu su ta i ru mo ze N ze N chi ga u no ni, i ma de mo ta na ka sa N to wa ma i to shi at te ru N da ne, ga ku se i ji da i ka ra i tsu mo fu ta ri de na ka yo ku shi te ta mo no ne
B: Yes, Tanaka is my childhood friend . We all grow old and become old men, but when we meet we are still the same as we were back then.
[2,15,22,28]：u N, ta na ka wa bo ku no chi ku ba no to mo da yo, mi N na to shi o to t te ji i sa N ni na t te i ku ke do sa, ae ba o ta ga ia no ko ro to o na ji ma ma de na ni mo ka wa ra na i N da
example:
A: Did you know? Japan national team player Okawa and the Prime Minister have been friends since kindergarten!
[4,21,27]: shi t te ta, ni ho N da i hyo o no oo ka wa se N shu to shu sho ot te, yo o chi e N ka ra is sho ni ka yo t te ta chi ku ba no to mo na N da t te
B: Wow! That's surprising. It's amazing that two kids who have been playing together since they were little are now two of Japan's most important adults.
[2,5,49]：ee, i ga i da ne, so N na chi i sa na ko ro ka ra a so N de ta ko do mo fu ta ri ga ni ho N o da i hyo o su ru oo mo no do o shi da na N te su go i na a
To reveal one's true colors [8]:
Meaning: When you accidentally reveal to everyone the bad things you've been trying to hide, your true self, or your flaws, in other words, when your hidden negative points are revealed .
*The most common story is that the expression originated from an actor playing a horse's leg on stage who accidentally showed the human form instead.
example:
A: Did you hear about Chief Kato? He was yelling at a new employee in a meeting room the other day, and apparently he left the microphone on and broadcast it to the whole company. (Note: The spread of teleworking and the widespread use of online meetings also carries some risks.)
[3,9,29,31]: ki i ta, ka to o chi i fu no ke N, ko no ai da shi N ji N ni mi i ti N gu ru u mu de do na ri chi ra shi te ta no ga, pi i shi i no ma i ku tsu ke p pa na shi de ze N sha jyu u ni ho o so o shi cha t ta to ka
B: Oh, that abusive boss. He's finally shown his true colors .
[2,10,13]aa, a no pa wa ha ra jyo o shi me, tsu i ni ba kya ku oa ra wa shi ta ne
example:
A: Hey, did you see the news that Mayor Y lied about his entire educational background?
[2,25]: ne e, wa i shi cho o no ga ku re ki ze N bu u so da t ta t te nyu u su mi ta
B: Yeah, even if he reveals his true colors after telling so many lies, it's still so amazing it's like a TV drama.
[2,13,26]aa, a so ko ma de u so ba k ka ri da to, ba kya ku oa ra wa su ni shi te mo su go su gi te do ra ma mi ta i da yo ne
A: Yes. When I first saw him on TV I thought he was a bit strange, but he's really an actor.
[2,39,12]：u N, ha ji me te re bi de mi ru yo o ni na t ta ko ro ka ra na ni ka he N na hi to da to o mo t te wa i ta ke do, ho N to o ni ya ku sha da yo ne e
That's all the "horse language" I'll introduce in today's blog.
We chose a total of 11 words and looked at them in sample dialogues, checking their meanings.
It can be used in a positive or negative sense, and one can imagine the various images that the Japanese have of the animal "horse."
If you come across a phrase that makes you think, "Ah! That's great!" while reading, be sure to start using it in your conversations today.
Also, although I am late in providing this explanation, I have added a guide to the number of beats and pronunciation to the "horse language" and sample dialogues to help you read them.
Example: "Uma ga au" [5] : u ma ga au
↑① ↑②
① [Beat]...The beat is used to pronounce Japanese words. Speak each sound clearly, just like you would when hitting a drum or typing on a keyboard.
② : Pronunciation Guide : Each sound used in Japanese speech is written in alphabetical order. The basic sound is a combination of consonants and vowels. In other words, it is a sound that can be expressed with a single hiragana character. *Forget about difficult pronunciations and special pronunciations that are affected by the surrounding environment for today's study, and practice speaking horse words and example sentences clearly and comfortably. Beautiful Japanese begins with clear, crisp reading aloud.
Beautiful Japanese pronunciation is a comprehensive phonetic skill built on the idea that each hiragana sound resonates powerfully.
An exemplary Japanese voice will have beautifully extended vowels accompanied by natural breath.
If you feel that your Japanese pronunciation is low or difficult to hear, first open your mouth wide. Then, using your throat, imagine that you are using one big flute inside your body from your stomach to your mouth, and take a long breath to comfortably pronounce the vowels "a, i, u, e, o."
Always listen to your own voice,
"Do the vowels 'a,' 'i,' 'u,' 'e,' and 'o' resonate strongly with each hiragana character?"
"Are your words a 'voice' that reaches the ears of those who listen?"
Be confident and speak loudly!
Try speaking clearly and articulately, using your mouth muscles as much as possible.
I'm sure you will gradually begin to hear the relaxed, generous sound of the ideal Japanese language.
The fun New Year's holiday and winter holidays pass by surprisingly quickly, and work days return at the beginning of the year. Once Coming of Age Day passes, half of January is already over, and although the nights are still long, our year begins to move forward little by little as the seasons change.
I hope 2026 will be a fruitful year filled with many good moments.
To start studying Japanese as a foreign language, why not try a private lesson at JLS, the Shinjuku/online Japanese language school?
Let's work hard at learning languages with us this year as well, aiming to become fluent in Japanese!
Japanese Language Learning Support (JLS Shinjuku) warmly welcomes everyone from overseas.
