歩 (bù) - step & pace

歩Tone 4

bù ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 止

不偲

歩 · bù

step;

pace;

walk;

march;

stage in a process;

unit of length (approx.

5 feet)

steppacewalk

Usage highlights

footstepsstep by stepwalking pacemarching stepspedometerprogress

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He walks with steady steps (歩く).
  • The soldier took one step forward (一步).
  • This is the first step in the process (步骤).
  • The garden path is about ten paces long (十歩).

Collocations

  • footsteps(足音)
  • step by step(一步一步)
  • walking pace(歩调)
  • marching steps(行進歩)
  • pedometer(歩数計)
  • progress(進歩)

Idioms

  • Step by step(一歩一歩)
  • A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step(千里之行始於足下)
  • Follow in someone's footsteps(後塵を拝する)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Japanese measurement, 1 歩 (bu) was approximately 5 feet, used for land area.
  • The character appears in many Japanese place names and surnames due to its positive meaning of progress.
  • In martial arts, 歩 refers to specific stances and footwork techniques.

FAQ