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
会意 · Meaning + meaning
Two or more parts whose meanings together make the new meaning.
步 = 止 stop + 𣥂 few
- 止 stop meaning
- 𣥂 few meaning
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
The bronze form shows two feet, one in front of the other.
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.