步 bù a step
a step; pace; stage; progress
How to remember 步: 止 stop + 𣥂 few = a step. In the dark museum the guard stops, holds her breath for a few seconds and hears a step behind her.
Component breakdown
步 = 止 stop + 𣥂 few
- 止 stop
- 𣥂 few
In the dark museum the guard stops, holds her breath for a few seconds and hears a step behind her.
How it came to be
Two footprints, one set down in front of the other, both pointing the same way. One foot is not walking and two side by side are standing; the offset makes the word.
How it is used
- "Step/pace" - 一步一步 (yí bù yí bù) step by step, 散步 (sànbù) take a stroll, 跑步 (pǎobù) go running.
- Figurative "stage/progress" - 进步 (jìnbù) make progress, 下一步 (xià yí bù) next step, 逐步 (zhúbù) gradually. Note 散步/跑步 are verb-object, so you can split them: 散了一会儿步 (sànle yíhuìr bù).
Characters built with 步
Words with 步
- 跑步pǎo bùto runHSK 2
- 散步sàn bùto go for a walkHSK 4
- 步行bùxíngto go on footHSK 5
- 脚步jiǎobùfootstepHSK 5
- 进一步jìnyíbùto go a step furtherHSK 5
- 进步jìnbùprogressHSK 5
- 逐步zhúbùprogressivelyHSK 5
- 初步chūbùinitialHSK 6
- 步骤bùzhòuprocedureHSK 6
- 同步tóngbùsynchronousHSK 7
- 地步dìbùstageHSK 7
- 止步zhǐbùto haltHSK 7
- 步入bùrùto step intoHSK 7
- 让步ràngbùto concedeHSK 7
- 起步qǐbùto set outHSK 7
- 徒步túbùto be on footHSK 8
- 步伐bùfápaceHSK 9
- 退步tuìbùto do less well than beforeHSK 9
Example sentences
- 老爷爷在树林里散步。 Lǎoyéye zài shùlín lǐ sànbù.The old man is taking a walk in the woods.
- 一对夫妻在公园里散步。 Yī duì fūqī zài gōngyuán lǐ sànbù.The couple are taking a walk in the park.
- 无论天气如何，他都去跑步。 Wúlùn tiānqì rúhé, tā dōu qù pǎobù.No matter what the weather, he always goes jogging.
- 科学使人类进步。 Kēxué shǐ rénlèi jìnbù.Science has advanced the human race.