Meaning
步行 literally means 'to walk' or 'to go on foot.' It combines the character 步 (step) with 行 (to go). It's a formal, neutral term for walking as a mode of transportation, contrasting with using vehicles. More formal than 走 (zǒu).
Usage
步行 is commonly used when describing walking as a deliberate choice of transportation or when giving directions. It sounds slightly more formal than the everyday 走路 (zǒu lù). You'll often see it on signs, in written directions, or when discussing commuting options. Native speakers use it to emphasize walking as the method of travel rather than just the act of walking.
Examples
- 01从这里到地铁站步行只要五分钟。.It's only a five-minute walk from here to the subway station.
- 02天气好的时候，我喜欢步行上班。, .When the weather is nice, I like to walk to work.
Characters
Common collocations
- 步行街pedestrian street
- 步行上班to walk to work
- 步行距离walking distance
- 步行十分钟a ten-minute walk
Antonyms
Origin
步 originally depicted two footprints, representing steps or paces. 行 shows a crossroads, symbolizing movement or travel. Together they form a compound meaning 'to travel by steps.'