The Chinese word 徒步 (túbù) is a compound term formed by combining two characters with related meanings: 徒 (tú), which originally means "on foot" or "to walk", and 步 (bù), which means "step" or "to pace". Together, they create a literal meaning of "walking by foot" or "going on foot", with the combination intensifying and specifying the action as a deliberate, often lengthy, form of walking or hiking, distinct from using any vehicle.