Translation and Meaning of: 歩 - fu

The Japanese word 「歩」 (fu) is a kanji that means "step" or "walk." This character is often recognized in contexts that talk about movement or progression. It is one of the basic learning kanjis due to its frequent use in various combinations of words and expressions. When we study the Japanese language, understanding the use and versatility of the kanji 「歩」 is fundamental to capturing nuances of meaning in different contexts.

Etymologically, 「歩」 is composed of two main elements: the radical 「止」 which means "stop" and the additional part 「小」 which represents "small". The union of these components can be interpreted as the idea of taking small pauses while walking or moving, encapsulating the essence of gradual movement or walking. Such a conception may sound poetic, as it evokes the tranquility and constant rhythm of the act of walking. This interpretation has historical roots in the way writing evolved in Japan.

The origin of the kanji 「歩」 dates back to the ancestral use of Chinese characters, which were adapted to the Japanese writing system over a thousand years ago. In the Chinese language, this character also carries the meaning of "to walk" or "to advance," reinforcing the cultural and linguistic connection between the two languages over the centuries. Interestingly, when used in combinations such as 「散歩」 (sanpo, meaning "walk") or 「歩道」 (hodō, meaning "sidewalk"), it retains its meaning of movement, harmoniously integrating into phrases that describe daily activities.

Finally, a simple list of words that incorporate the kanji 「歩」 includes:

• "「歩行者」 (hokōsha) - Pedestrian"
• "Number of steps" (歩数 - hosū)
• "歩幅" (hohaba) - Step length

These words are used in different contexts that range from physical activities to urban elements, illustrating how 「歩」 permeates various facets of everyday life in Japan. Understanding and effectively using this kanji helps enrich vocabulary and facilitates fluent communication in Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 歩行 ( Hokō ) - Walk; act of walking.
• 歩み ( Ayumi ) - Progress; walk; act of moving forward.
• 歩調 ( Hochō ) - Walking rhythm; step.
• 歩幅 ( Abahaba ) - Step width; measurement of the distance between steps.
• 歩数 ( Hosū ) - Number of steps; count of steps taken.
• 歩道 ( Hodō ) - Sidewalk; path for pedestrians.
• 歩留まり ( Budōmari ) - Percentage of utilization; efficiency in walking.
• 歩兵 ( Hohhei ) - Infantry soldier; foot troops marching.
• 歩く ( Aruku ) - Walk; to walk.
• 歩める ( Ayumeru ) - To be able to walk; to have the ability to progress.
• 歩み寄る ( Ayumiyoru ) - Approach; make progress in communication or understanding.
• 歩み止まる ( Ayumidomaru ) - Stop walking; interrupt the progress.
• 歩みを進める ( Ayumi wo susumeru ) - Advance; continue on the path.
• 歩みを止める ( Ayumi wo tomeru ) - Stop the advances; interrupt the walk.
• 歩みを共にする ( Ayumi wo tomo ni suru ) - Walking together; sharing the progress.
• 歩みを合わせる ( Ayumi wo awaseru ) - Synchronize the walk; align steps.
• 歩みを緩める ( Ayumi wo yurumeru ) - Slow down the walk; relax the pace.
• 歩みを速める ( Ayumi wo hayameru ) - Speed up the walk; increase the pace.
• 歩みを軽くする ( Ayumi wo karuku suru ) - Make walking lighter; facilitate movement.
• 歩みを重くする ( Ayumi wo omoku suru ) - Make walking heavier; make movement more difficult.
• 歩みを早める ( Ayumi wo hayameru ) - Accelerate the pace; increase the speed.
• 歩みを遅らせる ( Ayumi wo okuraseru ) - Slow down; delay the progress.
• 歩みを改める ( Ayumi wo aratameru ) - Review the progress; change the walking approach.
• 歩みを逆にする ( Ayumi wo gyaku ni suru ) - Reverse the march; change the direction of progress.
• 歩みを振り返る ( Ayumi wo furikaeru ) - Reflect on progress; look back on the journey.
• 歩みを見失う ( Ayumi wo miushinau ) - Getting lost on the journey; not being able to see the progress.
• 歩みを取り戻す ( Ayumi wo torimodosu ) - Recover the progress; resume the march.

歩

Romaji: fu
Kana: ふ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: pawn (in chess or shogi)

Meaning in English: pawn (in chess or shogi)

Definition: Move using your feet.

Example Sentences - (歩) fu

See below some example sentences:

初歩から始めましょう。

Hajime kara hajimemashou

Let's start from the basics.

Let's start from the beginning.

• 初歩 (shoho) - means "basic" or "fundamental"
• から (kara) - It means "from."
• 始めましょう (hajimemashou) - means "let's get started"

同じ道を歩もう。

Onaji michi wo ayumou

Let's walk the same path together.

Let's walk the same road.

• 同じ (onaji) - same
• 道 (michi) - path
• を (wo) - object particle
• 歩もう (arukimou) - let's walk

大柄な男性が道を歩いている。

Otokonoko ga michi wo aruite iru

A big man is walking down the street.

A big man is walking on the road.

• 大柄な - large
• 男性 - man
• が - subject particle
• 道 - path/street
• を - direct object particle
• 歩いている - walking (continuous form of the verb 歩く)

彼女は私の進歩を阻んだ。

Kanojo wa watashi no shinpo o habamanda

She prevented me from progressing.

She disturbed my progress.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 私 (watashi) - I
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 進歩 (shinpo) - progress
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 阻んだ (samatanda) - prevented

彼女は荷物を引きずるように歩いた。

Kanojo wa nimotsu o hikizuru yō ni aruita

She was dragging her luggage.

She walked to drag her luggage.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 荷物 (nimotsu) - luggage
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 引きずる (hikizuru) - drag
• ように (youni) - como se - as
• 歩いた (aruita) - walked

懲りるは学ぶの第一歩です。

Chireru wa manabu no daiippo desu

Discipline is the first step to learning.

• 懲りる - learn from mistakes
• は - Topic particle
• 学ぶ - study, learn
• の - Possessive particle
• 第一歩 - First step
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

最初の一歩は大切です。

Saisho no ippo wa taisetsu desu

The first step is important.

• 最初の一歩 - First step
• は - Topic particle
• 大切 - important
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

正しい道を歩きましょう。

Tadashii michi wo arukimashou

Let's walk the right way.

Let's walk the right road.

• 正しい - adjective meaning "correct" or "right"
• 道 - noun meaning "path" or "road"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 歩き - verb meaning "walk" or "walk"
• ましょう - suffix indicating a suggestion or invitation to do something

現代はテクノロジーの進歩によって驚くべき変化を遂げています。

Gendai wa tekunorojī no shinpo ni yotte odorokubeki henka o togete imasu

The modern age has made incredible changes with technological advances.

• 現代 (Gendai) - means "current" or "modern"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• テクノロジー (tekunorojii) - a word borrowed from English meaning "technology"
• の (no) - grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship
• 進歩 (shinpo) - means "progress" or "advance"
• によって (ni yotte) - expression that indicates the cause or means by which something happens
• 驚くべき (odoroku beki) - adjective meaning "surprising" or "astonishing"
• 変化 (henka) - means "change" or "transformation"
• を (wo) - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 遂げています (tasshite imasu) - verb meaning "to accomplish" or "to conclude" in the present progressive tense

町を転転と歩く。

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.