骂
mà · HSK 5
dispraise
🗣️ 骂 = 双口 (two mouths) over 马 (horse) — two mouths yelling like a horse
The character stacks two 口 (mouth) radicals on top of 马 (horse), which also gives the sound 'mǎ'. Two mouths together signal loud, repeated speech — here, scolding. 马 is purely phonetic, shifting tone from mǎ to mà.
骂 — two mouths 吅 (now 口口) over horse 马
Originally written 罵 with a 'net' radical 网/罒 over 馬 (horse), suggesting ensnaring or trapping with words. The simplified form 骂 replaces the net with two mouths 口口, vividly depicting shouting or scolding. The 马 component also hints at the phonetic value mà.