馬 and 牛: counts and observers' actions
Learn counting expressions for horses and cattle while separating photographs, observation, and riding.
Actions involving a horse
馬, read うま, means horse. 馬に乗りました。 means riding a horse.
馬の写真を撮りました。 means photographing a horse. A photograph alone does not establish riding it.
The number and location of cattle
牛, read うし, means cow or cattle. 牧場に牛が三頭います。 says that there are three cattle on the farm.
牛が草を食べています。 says that a cow or cattle are eating grass. It does not identify a person feeding them.
Reading separate counts
馬が二頭、牛が三頭います。 gives two horses and three cattle, for a total of five animals.
馬と牛を遠くから見ました。 means viewing horses and cattle from a distance. Do not add approaching or touching them.
How many animals are there in 馬が二頭、牛が三頭います?
Show the answer and why
Five: two horses and three cattle.