步伐

• Pinyin: bù fá
• Hanzi breakdown: 步 = 止 (foot) + 少, depicting feet walking; 伐 = 亻(person) + 戈 (weapon), meaning to strike or march

Meaning

Pace; steps; stride. The rhythm and speed of walking, or metaphorically, of progress.

Frequently used metaphorically to describe the pace of development, reform, or modernization. Common in news and official discourse. Can also refer literally to walking rhythm in contexts like dance or military drill.

Examples

1. 随着改革步伐的加快，这个城市发生了翻天覆地的变化。 As the pace of reform quickened, this city underwent earth-shaking changes.
2. 他迈着坚定的步伐走向讲台。 He walked toward the podium with determined strides.
3. 科技创新的步伐从未停止。 The pace of technological innovation has never stopped.

Usage Guide

Context: progress, development, movement

Tone: dynamic

Do Say

• 加快改革步伐。(Accelerate the pace of reform.)
• 他的步伐很稳健。(His stride is very steady.)

Don't Say

• 他走了三个步伐。(For counting steps, use 步 alone — 步伐 refers to pace/rhythm, not individual steps)

Origin & History

步 (step) + 伐 (to strike, to cut). 伐 here suggests measured, rhythmic movement like soldiers marching.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal