Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'swift horse' is most naturally expressed with the word 駿馬 (shunme), a literary term for an excellent, fast horse. In everyday speech, descriptive phrases like 足の速い馬 (ashi no hayai uma) are more common.
Describing a horse that runs quickly in everyday conversation.
The most natural way to say 'a fast horse' in spoken Japanese. Literally 'a horse with fast legs'.
彼は足の速い馬を探している。
He is looking for a swift horse.
A literary term for a swift or excellent horse. Often used in written Japanese, poetry, or historical contexts.
駿馬は風のように駆け抜けた。
The swift horse galloped like the wind.
A less common phrase meaning 'a swift-footed horse'. 快足 (kaisoku) means 'swift feet'.
あの快足の馬がレースに勝った。
That swift horse won the race.
Referring to a horse of exceptional speed, often in a poetic or mythical sense.
Literally 'a thousand-ri horse', meaning a horse that can travel great distances swiftly. Used in classical literature and idioms.
彼は千里馬のような才能を持っている。
He has the talent of a swift horse (a prodigy).
Means 'swift feet' and can refer to a fast horse or a fast runner. More commonly used for people.
駿足の馬が戦場を駆けた。
The swift-footed horse ran across the battlefield.
Directly translating 'swift horse' as 迅速な馬 (jinsoku na uma) is grammatically correct but sounds unnatural. Use 足の速い馬 instead.