Chikuba no Tomo (竹馬の友 - A Childhood Friend)

Chikuba no Tomo

Do you have a childhood friend?

A childhood friend is sometimes called 'chikuba no tomo' (竹馬の友).

'Chiku' (竹) means "bamboo," 'ba' (馬) means "horse," and 'chikuba' (竹馬) is a toy with the shape of a horse's head attached to the tip of a bamboo; children play on it.

In addition, 'tomo' (友) means "friend."

That is to say, 'chikuba no tomo' means a friend who has played with 'chikuba' since childhood, that is, a childhood friend.

This phrase came from a Chinese historical event.

竹馬の友

あなたに幼馴染はいますか？

幼馴染のことを、「竹馬の友」と言うこともあります。

「竹馬」とは、馬の頭の形をしたものを竹の先につけたもので、子どもがまたがって遊ぶ玩具です。

また、「友」は "friend" を意味します。

つまり「竹馬の友」とは、子どもの頃から竹馬で一緒に遊んだ友達、すなわち幼馴染というわけです。

この言葉は、中国の故事成語が出典です。

A wooden stick with the shape of a horse's head on top is called a "hobby horse" in English.

• A childhood friend is sometimes called 'chikuba no tomo' (竹馬の友).
• A childhood friend is sometimes called 'chikuba no tomo' (竹馬の友) in Japanese.

• 'Chiku' (竹) means "bamboo," 'ba' (馬) means "horse," and 'chikuba' (竹馬) is a toy with the shape of a horse's head attached to the tip of a bamboo; children play on it.
• 'Chiku' (竹) means "bamboo," 'ba' (馬) means "horse," and 'chikuba' (竹馬) is a toy with a horse's head attached to a bamboo pole. Children play on it.

• That is to say, 'chikuba no tomo' means a friend who has played with 'chikuba' since childhood, that is, a childhood friend.
• So 'chikuba no tomo' means a friend you have played 'chikuba' with since childhood, that is, a childhood friend.

• This phrase came from a Chinese historical event.
• This phrase came from an historical Chinese event.