Why one horse came to mean right away

Where the picture shows up in 马

1. 1

   already on the horse, so: now

   我马上就到。

   wǒ mǎshàng jiù dào

   I'll be there in a minute.

   One foot on the stirrup and the horse is already gone

   马上 is the everyday word for right away.

2. 2

   road wide enough to gallop

   过马路要看车。

   guò mǎlù yào kàn chē

   Watch for cars when you cross the road.

   A road laid out wide enough for a horse at full gallop

   马路 now just means the road, the one cars use.

3. 3

   up onto the horse's back

   周末我们去骑马。

   zhōumò wǒmen qù qí mǎ

   Let's go horse riding this weekend.

   A body settling into the saddle, reins gathered in both hands

   骑 is the straddling motion — also used for bikes and scooters.

4. 4

   stripes like a zebra's flank

   请走斑马线。

   qǐng zǒu bānmǎxiàn

   Please use the crosswalk.

   White bars painted across the road, the whole strip looking like a zebra's back

   斑马 is zebra; 斑马线 is the crossing striped like one.

5. 5

   bounding over the middle

   做事别这么马虎。

   zuò shì bié zhème mǎhu

   Don't do the job so carelessly.

   A horse bounding along, skipping several strides' worth of ground at a time

   马虎 is sloppy and careless — often used as a scolding.