歩く

• Reading: あるく
• Romaji: aruku
• Kanji breakdown: 歩 (ho/aru) — to walk, a step
• Pronunciation: /a.ɾɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

To walk. The standard verb for moving on foot at a normal pace.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb with a k-stem. The te-form is 歩いて (with い sound change). Used for everyday walking, strolling, and travelling on foot. The phrase 歩いて (on foot) is commonly used to describe how one gets somewhere. Pairs with を for the route walked (道を歩く).

Examples

1. 学校まで歩いて行きます。 I walk to school.
2. 公園を三十分歩きました。 I walked in the park for thirty minutes.
3. もう少しゆっくり歩いてください。 Please walk a little more slowly.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, exercise, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 歩 combines 止 (stop) and a character suggesting movement of the feet, representing the alternating steps of walking.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal