闊歩

• Reading: かっぽ
• Romaji: kappo
• Kanji breakdown: 闊 (katsu) — broad, wide, open; 歩 (ho/po) — walk, step
• Pronunciation: /kap.po/

Meaning

Striding boldly; swaggering; walking with conspicuous confidence or self-importance.

A verbal noun used as 闊歩する (to stride boldly, to walk with swagger). The compound implies both confident, wide-striding movement and a degree of arrogance or self-importance. Often used with mild irony to describe someone moving through a space as if they own it, but can also be used admiringly of purposeful, commanding movement.

Examples

1. 幹部たちはオフィスを闊歩しながら部下に指示を出していた。 The executives strode through the office, barking orders at their subordinates.
2. 若い頃は繁華街を闊歩していた彼も、今は静かに余生を送っている。 In his younger days he used to swagger through the entertainment district, but now he leads a quiet retirement.
3. 獅子は草原を悠然と闊歩し、その威厳は圧倒的だった。 The lion strode leisurely across the savanna, its majesty absolutely overwhelming.

Usage Guide

Context: narrative, character description, journalism, humour

Tone: slightly ironic

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound from 闊 (broad, wide, open) and 歩 (step, walk). Originally described wide, open strides; the connotation of swagger and self-important bearing developed over time.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated