歩(to walk): Kanji Meaning and Pronunciations

歩

• Meaning: to walk
• Pronunciations: ho, bu / aru(ku), ayu(mu)

歩 is formed from the symbol of left and right footprint shape placed on the top and bottom. Showing the left and right footprints up and down means putting your feet one in front of the other(as if walking), which therefore represents walking with both feet.

Visually, it can be divided into two parts: “止” and “少”. 止 means “to stop” and 少 means “a little“ or “less”.

• 歩く（あるくaruku）: to walk
• 散歩（さんぽsanpo）: to go for a walk
• 一歩（いっぽippo）: a step
• 歩道（ほどうhodou）: sidewalk