Definitions
(noun)
step; pace
(verb)
to walk; to march
(noun)
stage; phase
Etymology
Pictograph of one foot in front of another, depicting footsteps.
About
The character 步, which has remained consistent in its traditional and simplified forms, originates from an ideogram that depicted two feet in motion, a concept visually conveyed by placing the component 止, representing a foot, above an inverted or reversed version of itself. This structure literally illustrated the alternating action of walking, giving the character its core meaning of "to walk" or "a step". From this concrete foundation, its semantic application broadened to denote the abstract notion of a stage or a degree in a process, as in a procedural "step", and further evolved to function as a measure word for stages or events. The character’s enduring form and logical construction have allowed its central idea of measured progression to transition smoothly from the physical act into the realms of method and sequence.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我每天步行上班。
他步伐轻快地走路。
学习需要循序渐进的步骤。
科技在不断地进步。
为了健康，我决定每天散步半小时。
如果你跟不上团队的步伐，就需要更加努力。
经济发展与环境保护必须同步进行。
在制定计划时，每一个步骤都需要仔细考虑，以确保最终成功。