走开

• Pinyin: zǒu kāi
• Hanzi breakdown: 走 = 土 (earth) + 止 (foot), meaning 'to walk'; 开 = simplified form of 開, meaning 'to open/away'

Meaning

To go away; to leave; to step aside. Moving away from a place or person.

A directional complement verb where 走 (walk) + 开 (away/open) indicates moving away from the current position. Often used as a command meaning 'go away!' Can sound rude if used as an imperative without politeness markers.

Examples

1. 请走开一点，让我过去。 Please step aside a bit and let me pass.
2. 孩子不听话，妈妈生气地让他走开。 The child wouldn't listen, so mom angrily told him to go away.
3. 他什么也没说就走开了。 He walked away without saying anything.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation

Tone: direct

Do Say

• 请走开一下，我要打电话。(Please step aside for a moment — I need to make a call.)
• 他默默地走开了。(He quietly walked away.)

Don't Say

• 走开！(Using 走开 alone as a command is very rude — soften it with 请 or rephrase: 请你走开一下 or 你能让一下吗.)

Origin & History

Compound of 走 (to walk) and 开 (to open/away), literally 'walk away.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal