Meanings of 走
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About 走
Podcast: 走
Podcast: 走
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AI Study Notes for 走
走 (zǒu) vs 跑 (pǎo) — choose 走 when referring to walking or going at a slower pace, while 跑 indicates running or moving quickly.
Be careful with the tone; '走' is pronounced with a third tone (zǒu). It is commonly used in both formal and informal speech, particularly with phrases like 走路 (zǒu lù - to walk) and 走开 (zǒu kāi - go away). A common mistake is using it inappropriately in fixed phrases where another verb might be more suitable.
As an HSK Level 2 word, 走 connects well with other movement-related verbs like 跑 (pǎo - to run) and 来 (lái - to come). Students should focus on its various applications in phrases and compound verbs to enhance their speaking and comprehension skills.
Learners often confuse 走 with other movement verbs like 去 (qù - to go) or 来 (lái - to come), leading to incorrect phrases like 走去 (zǒu qù) instead of 去 (qù). Remember, 走 emphasizes the action of walking or moving away.
Pronunciation of 走
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Etymology of 走
Pictograph of a person swaying their arms while walking.
Someone 土 stepping with their foot 止
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 走
Pictograph of a person swaying their arms while walking.
- 1The giveawaySomeone 土 stepping with their foot 止
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 走? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 走?
Decomposition of 走
Identify the Components
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How to say to walk in Chinese
“to walk” in Chinese is走
The character 走 (zǒu) primarily means 'to walk' or 'to go.' It is used in various contexts, such as moving on foot, departing from a location, or even in phrases indicating change or transition. This verb conveys a sense of movement or departure, making it versatile in both everyday conversation and more formal contexts.
When to use 走
Be careful with the tone; '走' is pronounced with a third tone (zǒu). It is commonly used in both formal and informal speech, particularly with phrases like 走路 (zǒu lù - to walk) and 走开 (zǒu kāi - go away). A common mistake is using it inappropriately in fixed phrases where another verb might be more suitable.
走 or something close to it
走 (zǒu) vs 跑 (pǎo) — choose 走 when referring to walking or going at a slower pace, while 跑 indicates running or moving quickly.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 走 with other movement verbs like 去 (qù - to go) or 来 (lái - to come), leading to incorrect phrases like 走去 (zǒu qù) instead of 去 (qù). Remember, 走 emphasizes the action of walking or moving away.
Write 走
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Practice writing 走 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 走
走 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 14 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他一边____路，一边唱歌。
He walks while singing.
Example Sentences for 走 (10)
Word Family of 走
Compound Meaning
What does 起 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 走
Yes, 走 can refer to vehicles moving, such as in the phrase 车走了 (chē zǒu le - the car has left).
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