步 bù — step; pace; walk · English

步

bù

step; pace; walk

At a glance · 步

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

甲骨文、金文像两足（止）一前一后相承之形，本义为步行。小篆承之，隶楷作「步」。会意清晰。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

本义为行走、步伐。

Structure

会意字，从两「止」（足），象前后脚步相随之形。

At a glance

Pinyinbù

Radical止

Strokes7

UnicodeU+6B65

Character type会意

Theme动作

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English step; pace; walk A step, pace, or to walk.

Français pas; marche Un pas, une allure, ou marcher.

Español paso; andar Un paso, un andar, o caminar.

العربية خطوة؛ مشية؛ يمشي خطوة أو مشية أو أن يمشي.

Русский шаг; походка; идти Шаг, походка или идти.

Common words

步bùstep
步行bù xíngwalk

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