Translation guide
The English verb 'walk' covers a range of movement on foot, from casual strolling to purposeful going. Japanese uses different verbs depending on intent, manner, and context. This guide helps learners choose the most natural expression.
To move by putting one foot in front of the other, without specifying purpose or destination.
The most common and neutral verb for walking. Use for general statements about walking as an action.
毎日30分歩いています。
I walk for 30 minutes every day.
駅まで歩きましょう。
Let's walk to the station.
Formal or technical term for walking, often used in written contexts like signs or medical descriptions.
歩行者は右側を歩行してください。
Pedestrians, please walk on the right side.
To travel to a destination by walking, emphasizing the act of going.
Literally 'walk and go'. Use when the destination is mentioned and the focus is on the journey by foot.
学校まで歩いていきます。
I walk to school.
駅から歩いて10分です。
It's a 10-minute walk from the station.
Means 'go on foot'. Slightly more formal than 歩いていく, often used in written directions or when emphasizing the mode of transport.
駅から徒歩で5分です。
It's a 5-minute walk from the station.
To walk as an activity for enjoyment, health, or relaxation.
Means 'to take a walk' or 'to stroll'. Implies a leisurely, often aimless walk for pleasure.
公園を散歩しましょう。
Let's take a walk in the park.
夕食後によく散歩します。
I often take a walk after dinner.
Loanword from English 'walking', used specifically for walking as exercise or a fitness activity.
健康のためにウォーキングしています。
I do walking for my health.
To walk with someone, often to guide or accompany them.
Simply 'walk together'. Use when the focus is on companionship during the walk.
友達と一緒に歩きました。
I walked with a friend.
Means 'to escort' or 'to see someone off'. Use when walking someone to a destination for safety or courtesy.
駅まで送りましょうか。
Shall I walk you to the station?
To specify walking as opposed to other forms of movement like running or crawling.
The te-form of 歩く, used adverbially to mean 'by walking' or 'on foot'. Often contrasted with running or using a vehicle.
走らないで、歩いてください。
Don't run, please walk.
バスに乗らないで、歩いて行きます。
I'll walk instead of taking the bus.
To take a dog for a walk.
The standard phrase for walking a dog. Literally 'do a dog's walk'.
毎朝犬の散歩をします。
I walk the dog every morning.
Causative form meaning 'to make/let the dog walk'. Slightly more formal or descriptive.
犬を散歩させてきます。
I'll go walk the dog.
歩く is the general verb for walking, while 散歩する specifically means a leisurely stroll. Use 歩く for purposeful walking or when the destination matters, and 散歩する for recreational walks.
The English word 'walk' is sometimes used in Japanese as ウォーク, but only in compound nouns like ウォーキング (walking as exercise) or ウォークマン (Walkman). Using ウォーク alone as a verb is unnatural.