Meaning
走 is one of the most fundamental verbs in Mandarin, primarily meaning 'to walk' or 'to go on foot.' It can also mean 'to leave' or 'to depart' in general contexts. This is an essential everyday word used to describe movement from one place to another.
Usage
Native speakers use 走 constantly in daily conversation. It's the standard word for walking and can also mean leaving a place (走了 'I'm leaving'). Common in imperatives like 走吧 'Let's go.' It contrasts with 跑 (to run) and 来 (to come). Can be used both literally (physical walking) and figuratively (departing, going away).
Examples
- 01我每天走路去上班。.I walk to work every day.
- 02时间不早了，我该走了。, .It's getting late, I should go now.
Common collocations
- 走路to walk (on a road)
- 走吧let's go
- 走开go away
- 走了left, gone
Antonyms
Origin
The character 走 depicts a person with swinging arms in motion, originally representing running or quick movement. In modern Mandarin it typically means walking, while 跑 has taken over the meaning of running.