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Kotomora

歩

walk, counter for steps

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • ホ
  • ブ
  • フ

Kun'yomi

  • ある.く
  • あゆ.む

Nanori

  • あ
  • ゆき
  • ゆみ

Meaning

歩 centers on the act of walking or stepping, and by extension serves as a counter for steps.

Most common words using 歩

24 of 268
  • 歩くあるく
    N5

    to walk

  • 歩ほ

    step; stride

  • 徒歩とほ
    N2

    walking; going on foot

  • 散歩さんぽ
    N5

    walk; stroll

  • 進歩しんぽ
    N3

    progress; advance; improvement; development

  • 歩行ほこう

    walking; walk

  • 歩みあゆみ
    N1

    walking

  • 歩道ほどう
    N3

    footpath; walkway; sidewalk; pavement

  • 歩むあゆむ
    N1

    to walk; to go on foot

  • 歩兵ほへい

    infantry; infantryman; foot soldier

  • 第一歩だいいっぽ

    first step

  • 譲歩じょうほ
    N1

    concession; conciliation; compromise

  • 初歩しょほ
    N1

    basics; rudiments; elements; ABCs of ...

  • 歩道橋ほどうきょう
    N3

    footbridge; pedestrian bridge; pedestrian overpass

  • 歩き回るあるきまわる
    N2

    to walk about; to walk around; to walk to and fro; to pace around; to wander

  • 歩合ぶあい
    N1

    rate; ratio; percentage

  • 歩調ほちょう
    N1

    pace; step; cadence

  • 歩み寄りあゆみより

    compromise; concession

  • 競歩きょうほ

    racewalking; race walking; walking race

  • 歩み寄るあゆみよる
    N1

    to compromise; to meet halfway

  • 一人歩きひとりあるき

    taking on a life of its own (of a rumour, etc.)

  • 牛歩ぎゅうほ

    snail's pace; slow progress

  • 遊歩ゆうほ

    walk; promenade

  • 公定歩合こうていぶあい

    official discount (bank) rate

Explore all words using 歩 →

Study

Etymology

歩 originally depicted a left and right foot alternating, representing the act of walking. The modern form simplifies the lower foot into 少.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 止 means stop, and the bottom 少 looks like a few small steps. Imagine stopping after a few small steps, then walking again: 歩 is walking.

Reading mnemonic

For ホ, imagine a person walking and letting out a soft 'ho' sound with each step: ho -> ホ.