Meaning and Usage
The character "步" primarily means "step" or "pace" and is used both literally and metaphorically. It can refer to a physical step taken while walking or to a stage or phase in a process.
Common Collocations
- 一步 (yí bù): one step, often used to indicate a single physical step or a figurative step in progress.
- 一步一步 (yí bù yí bù): step by step, emphasizing gradual progress.
- 迈出一步 (màichū yí bù): to take a step forward, often used metaphorically for making progress or starting something new.
Usage Notes
When using "步" to describe walking, it often appears with numbers to count steps. Metaphorically, it is common in phrases describing progress or stages, such as "一步一步地完成" (complete step by step). Avoid confusing "步" with "走" which means "to walk" but is a verb, whereas "步" is a noun or measure word for steps.
Register and Tone
"步" is neutral and common in both spoken and written Chinese. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts.
Summary
Understanding "步" helps learners describe physical movement and abstract progress clearly. Its frequent use in idiomatic expressions makes it a versatile and practical word to master.