The Chinese word 步伐 (bùfá), meaning "gait", "pace", or "step", is a disyllabic compound formed by combining two semantically related characters: 步 (bù), which originally pictographically depicted two feet walking and means "a step" or "to walk", and 伐 (fá), whose ancient form depicted a halberd striking a human neck, conveying "to strike" or "to attack", but which evolved to also mean "a stride" or "movement" in this context. Together, they form a coordinative compound where both morphemes contribute a similar meaning related to stepping or movement, creating a more abstract and nuanced term that refers to the manner, rhythm, and cadence of walking or progressing.