歩む
歩む · godan verb (-mu)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 歩む | 歩まない |
| Polite | 歩みます | 歩みません |
| Past polite | 歩みました | 歩みませんでした |
| Past | 歩んだ | 歩まなかった |
| Te-form | 歩んで | 歩まないで |
| Desire | 歩みたい | 歩みたくない |
| Potential | 歩める | 歩めない |
| Passive | 歩まれる | 歩まれない |
| Causative | 歩ませる | 歩ませない |
| Causative passive | 歩ませられるalso 歩まされる | 歩ませられないalso 歩まされない |
| Volitional | 歩もう | |
| Polite volitional | 歩みましょう | |
| Imperative | 歩め | 歩むな |
| Conditional | 歩めば | 歩まなければ |
| Tara conditional | 歩んだら | 歩まなかったら |
Meanings
godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb
A somewhat literary or formal word for walking, often implying a steady, deliberate pace. More common in written Japanese than in casual speech.
He was walking quietly along the path.
godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb
tread (a path); follow (a course); lead (a life)
Figurative use: to follow a particular path in life, career, or history. Often used with words like 人生, 道, 歴史, or 運命.
He decided to follow the path of art.
This country has walked the path toward peace.
godan verb (-mu), intransitive verb
advance toward; head for; embark on (a course)
Used for progressing toward a goal or outcome, often with a nuance of inevitability or a set direction. Common with words like 解決, 破滅, or 発展.
The two countries have begun to move toward a resolution of the issue.
The company is on the road to ruin.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉を歩むto walk along/through a place
The two of them walked along the quiet tree-lined street.
- 人生を歩むto lead/live one's life (in a certain way)
He has lived his life in his own way.
- 〈事〉としての道を歩むto follow the path of becoming/being ~
She followed the path of becoming a musician.
- 〈事〉へ歩むto advance toward (an outcome or state)
The two countries began to move toward reconciliation.