歩 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

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What does 歩 mean in Japanese?

歩 means to walk or a step. The everyday verb is 歩く (aruku, to walk). A secondary reading あゆむ (ayumu) also means to walk but carries a more literary or deliberate nuance — stepping forward with purpose — and appears in names as well as formal writing.

歩 builds a wide range of compound words: 散歩 (sanpo, a walk / stroll), 歩道 (hodou, pavement / sidewalk), 進歩 (shinpo, progress), and the counter 〜歩 (steps), as in 一歩 (ippo, one step). The one-step image of 歩 makes it productive in both literal and figurative contexts.

Reading

On’yomi: ホ (ho), ブ (bu), フ (fu)

Kun’yomi: ある-く (aru-ku), あゆ-む (ayu-mu)

Basic Information

Kanji 歩
Meaning walk, step
Stroke Count 8
JLPT Level N4

How to Understand This Kanji

歩く (aruku) is the plain everyday verb for walking. あゆむ (ayumu) is less common in conversation and suggests walking with deliberate, considered steps — often used in literature, song, and in names (歩, Ayumu). 散歩 (sanpo) specifically means a leisurely stroll for pleasure or exercise, distinct from just getting somewhere on foot. 歩道 (hodou) is the sidewalk or footpath, as opposed to 車道 (shadou, the road for vehicles).

Common Words

  • 歩く（あるく / aruku） — to walk
  • 散歩（さんぽ / sanpo） — a stroll, a walk for pleasure
  • 歩道（ほどう / hodou） — pavement, sidewalk, footpath
  • 進歩（しんぽ / shinpo） — progress, advancement
  • 一歩（いっぽ / ippo） — one step
  • 歩行者（ほこうしゃ / hokousha） — pedestrian

Example Sentences

  • 毎朝、公園を散歩します。

    まいあさ、こうえんをさんぽします。 / Maiasa, kouen o sanpo shimasu.

    I take a walk in the park every morning.

  • 歩道を歩いてください。

    ほどうをあるいてください。 / Hodou o aruite kudasai.

    Please walk on the pavement.

  • 一歩ずつ上手になっています。

    いっぽずつうまくなっています。 / Ippo zutsu umaku natte imasu.

    I am getting better one step at a time.

Related Kanji

  • 道

    — Road — 歩道 (pavement) = 歩 + 道; the compound directly pairs walking with the road kanji covered in Day 2

  • 進

    — Advance — 進歩 (progress) = 進 + 歩; 進 will be covered in seed_id 191 and naturally follows from the walking theme of this day

  • 走

    — Run — 歩く (walk) and 走る (run) are the two core movement verbs that appear together in directions, sports, and comparisons

When Learners Usually See This Kanji

The counter 〜歩 (steps) is worth knowing for its irregular first reading: 一歩 (ippo, one step), not いちほ. This mirrors the same initial-consonant doubling as 一本 (ippon), 一匹 (ippiki). 一歩ずつ (one step at a time) is a useful phrase for talking about gradual progress.

あゆむ vs 歩く: both mean to walk, but あゆむ implies a more considered, purposeful movement and often appears in figurative contexts. 人生を歩む (walk through life / live one’s life) is a set phrase. 歩む is more formal and literary; use 歩く for everyday conversation.

進歩 (shinpo, progress) = 進 (advance) + 歩 (step). This compound will appear again when you cover 進 in seed_id 191. The figurative use of 歩 as a step toward something connects 散歩 (a physical stroll) to 進歩 (intellectual or personal progress).

歩行者 (hokousha, pedestrian) = 歩行 (walking) + 者 (person). This formal word appears on road signs: 歩行者専用 (pedestrians only), 歩行者優先 (pedestrians have priority).

Summary

歩 means walking or a step, with 歩く (aruku) as the everyday verb and 散歩 (stroll), 歩道 (pavement), 進歩 (progress), and 一歩 (one step) as the core compound vocabulary.