步
step, pace, walk, stroll
StatusJinmeiyō (variant)Strokes7
Readings
On'yomi
- ホ
- ブ
- フ
Kun'yomi
- あるく
- あゆむ
- あゆみ
Meaning
步 centers on the act of moving forward on foot: taking a step, pacing, walking, or strolling. It captures the basic unit and rhythm of walking.
Study
Etymology
步 is a pictograph of a foot taking a step, with 止 (footprint) above and a lower element representing the following step. The modern form preserves this stepping image.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 止 is a footprint, and the lower strokes suggest another foot moving forward. Together they show one foot after another: a step, a walk.
Reading mnemonic
For ホ, imagine a person walking with a hoe over their shoulder, taking steady steps: hoe -> ホ, and each step moves them forward.