Translation and Meaning of: 歩く - aruku
The Japanese word 歩く [あるく] is an essential verb for anyone learning the language, meaning "to walk" or "to go". If you've ever wondered about the origin of this term, how it is used in everyday life, or even how to memorize it efficiently, this article will guide you through these points. Also, we will explore the kanji pictogram, cultural curiosities, and even tips to remember the meaning. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition system, you will find useful sentences to practice.
The interesting thing about 歩く is that it appears in everyday situations, from casual conversations to formal instructions. Many people search on Google not only for the translation but also for the etymology and how to differentiate it from other movement verbs. Is there a trick to remember this kanji? Or do the Japanese use this word in unexpected ways? Let's find out together!
Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 歩
The kanji 歩 is composed of two radicals: 止 (stop) and 少 (little). Together, they create the idea of "short and paused steps," which makes perfect sense for the meaning of walk. Originally, in ancient China, this character represented the act of moving forward slowly, almost like a meditative movement. Over time, the Japanese adopted the kanji, and the sound あるく (aruku) became associated with it.
A curiosity is that, in feudal Japan, the word 歩く was used not only to describe the physical act of walking, but also to indicate progress in a spiritual or intellectual journey. Today, the term retains this nuance of continuous movement, whether literal or figurative. Have you ever stopped to think how a simple verb can carry so much history?
Lies in Japanese Everyday Life
In daily life, Japanese people use 歩く in various contexts. From simple situations like "公園を歩く" (walking in the park) to more idiomatic expressions like "道を歩む" (following a path in life). Unlike Portuguese, where "andar" can have broader meanings, in Japanese this verb is more specific to walking, without including other means of transportation.
A valuable tip is to pay attention to how 歩く appears on signs and urban indications. In train stations, for example, you might see sentences like "Please walk on the right side." This type of practical use helps to reinforce vocabulary and understand the importance of the verb in the social organization of Japan. Have you ever imagined if Brazil had such clear rules for pedestrians?
Tips for Memorization and Curiosities
To remember the kanji 歩, an effective technique is to visualize it as a foot (止) taking small steps (少). Another strategy is to associate it with compound words like 散歩 [さんぽ] (walk) or 歩行者 [ほこうしゃ] (pedestrian). These connections make memorization easier and organically expand your vocabulary.
And here’s a cultural curiosity: in Kyoto, there is an expression called "歩き巫女" (walking miko), which refers to young priestesses who walk through the temples during Shinto rituals. This is an example of how 歩く (to walk) is rooted not only in the language but also in Japanese traditions. How about trying to use this verb the next time you describe your route to the bakery?
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Verb conjugation of 歩く
- 歩く - base form
- 歩かない - Negative
- 歩いた - simple past
- 歩いている - Present Continuous
- 歩くだろう - Future
- 歩け - imperative
Synonyms and similar words
- 歩行する (hokou suru) - to walk
- 歩みを進める (ayumi o susumeru) - advance
- 歩みを進む (ayumi o susumu) - continue
- 歩む (ayumu) - to walk
- 歩き回る (aruki mawaru) - walk around
- 歩き続ける (aruki tsuzukeru) - keep walking
- 歩き通す (aruki toosu) - walk to the end
- 歩行 (hokou) - walk
- 歩み (ayumi) - step
- 歩幅 (ahaba) - step width
- 歩調 (hochou) - walking rhythm
- 歩数 (hoosu) - number of steps
- 歩容 (hoyou) - posture while walking
- 歩姿 (hoda) - way of walking
- 歩様 (buyou) - Maneira de andar
- 歩行様式 (hokou youshiki) - walking style
- 歩行方法 (hokou houhou) - walking method
- 歩行技術 (hokou gijutsu) - walking technique
- 歩行能力 (hokou nouryoku) - walking ability
- 歩行機能 (hokou kinou) - walking function
- 歩行訓練 (hokou kunren) - walking training
- 歩行療法 (hokou ryouhou) - walking therapy
- 歩行改善 (hokou kaizen) - improvement of walking
Related words
Romaji: aruku
Kana: あるく
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: to walk
Meaning in English: to walk
Definition: Move using your feet.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (歩く) aruku
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (歩く) aruku:
Example Sentences - (歩く) aruku
See below some example sentences:
Dote wo aruku no wa kimochi ga ii desu
It is pleasant to walk on the embankment.
Walking on the shore is pleasant.
- 土手 - means "margin" or "gully".
- を - object particle.
- 歩く - verb meaning "walk" or "walk".
- の - particle that indicates the nominalization of the previous verb.
- は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
- 気持ち - noun meaning "feeling" or "sensation".
- が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- いい - adjective meaning "good" or "pleasant."
- です - verb that indicates the polite or polite form of the sentence.
botsu botsu to aruku
walk slowly and with difficulty.
to walk
- ぼつぼつと - botsu botsu to - irregularly, bumpily
- 歩く - walk - to walk
Kudari no sakamichi wo aruku no wa taihen desu
Going down a hill is difficult.
It's difficult to walk down the slope.
- 下りの坂道 - descent from a hill
- を - object particle
- 歩く - to walk
- のは - Topic particle
- 大変 - difficult, arduous
- です - verb to be, to stay
Aruku koto wa kenkou ni yoi desu
Walking is good for health.
Walking is good for your health.
- 歩くこと - to walk
- は - Topic particle
- 健康に - for health
- 良いです - it's good
Hodō o aruku no wa kenkō ni yoi desu
Walking on the sidewalk is good for your health.
Walking on the sidewalk is good for your health.
- 歩道 - Pedestrian path
- を - object particle
- 歩く - to walk
- のは - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 健康に - healthily
- 良い - good
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Nammoku no michi wo aruku no wa kimochi ga ii desu
It is pleasant to walk along a tree-lined street.
It is pleasant to walk in the row of trees.
- 並木の道 - Path of aligned trees
- を - object particle
- 歩く - to walk
- のは - Topic particle
- 気持ちがいい - feel good, pleasant
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Heikou shite aruku
Walk in parallel.
Walk in parallel.
- 並行して - means "together" or "parallel".
- 歩く - means "to walk" or "to stroll".
Noronoro aruku
walk slowly
To swallow
- のろのろ - expressão adverbial que significa "lentamente"
- 歩く - Caminhar
Machi wo tenten to aruku
Transfer and walk around the city.
- 町 - means "city" in Japanese.
- を - is an object particle in Japanese, indicating that "city" is the object of the action.
- 転転 - is a Japanese onomatopoeia meaning "to walk with large, heavy steps".
- と - is a connecting particle in Japanese, indicating that "walk" is made with the sound "転転".
- 歩く - means "to walk" in Japanese.
Watashi wa mainichi aruku koto ga suki desu
I like to walk every day.
I like to walk every day.
- 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
- は (wa) - topic marker in Japanese, indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
- 毎日 (mainichi) - means "every day" in Japanese
- 歩くこと (aruku koto) - means "to walk" in Japanese, with "koto" being a nominal suffix that turns the verb into a noun
- が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese, indicating that "walk" is the subject of the sentence
- 好き (suki) - means "to like" in Japanese
- です (desu) - To be verb in Japanese, used to indicate the end of the sentence and politeness.
Other Words of this Type: verb
See other words from our dictionary that are also: verb