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散步 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
散步sànbùto take a walkHSK 4, n, rank #3537, Medium
散步sànbùto go for a walkHSK 4, n, rank #3537, Medium
sànbù(san4bu4) T4
  1. 1to take a walk
  2. 2to go for a walk
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March 24, 2026
散步sànbù(san4bu4)

散步 (sàn bù) means to take a walk or go for a stroll, often used in a leisurely context. It implies a relaxed pace and is typically done for enjoyment, exercise, or relaxation. People often use this term to describe a casual outing in parks or neighborhoods.

Frequency#3537DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

Taking a walk, or '散步', is a common social activity in Chinese culture, often seen in parks where families gather or older adults practice tai chi. It reflects a lifestyle that values health and community engagement.

Memory Tip

Imagine a '散' (sàn) of leaves scattered along a path, inviting you to '步' (bù) or take steps on a pleasant walk. Visualize the scene of a gentle breeze blowing through the trees as you stroll, reinforcing the idea of a carefree walk.

Meanings of 散步

sànbù(san4bu4)
1to take a walk
2to go for a walk
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 散步

散步Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3537Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 散步

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Podcast: 散步

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AI Study Notes for 散步

Quick Contrast

散步 (sànbù) vs 漫步 (mànbù) — choose 散步 for a more casual, leisurely stroll, while 漫步 emphasizes a slow, meandering walk without a specific destination.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a '散' (sàn) of leaves scattered along a path, inviting you to '步' (bù) or take steps on a pleasant walk. Visualize the scene of a gentle breeze blowing through the trees as you stroll, reinforcing the idea of a carefree walk.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone of '散步', as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but is particularly suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include '去散步' (qù sàn bù - to go for a walk) and '散步的时候' (sàn bù de shí hòu - when taking a walk).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, '散步' connects well with other verbs related to movement and leisure activities. Students should focus on using it in sentences describing daily routines or activities they enjoy, enhancing conversational fluency.

Cultural Note

Taking a walk, or '散步', is a common social activity in Chinese culture, often seen in parks where families gather or older adults practice tai chi. It reflects a lifestyle that values health and community engagement.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '散步' with '走路' (zǒu lù), which simply means to walk. For example, saying '我喜欢走路' (Wǒ xǐ huān zǒu lù) when you mean to say 'I like to take walks' should be corrected to '我喜欢散步' (Wǒ xǐ huān sàn bù).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 散步

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Component Characters

散sǎnto scatter
HSK 612 strokes攵
View full entry
步bùa step
HSK 47 strokes止
View full entry

Write 散步

散
步

Practice writing 散步 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 散步

散步 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

他喜欢沿着湖____。

He likes to walk along the lake.

Example Sentences for 散步 (10)

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1
最近我开始经常散步和骑自行车。

zuì jìn wǒ kāi shǐ jīng cháng sàn bù hé qí zì háng chē。

Recently I've started to do a lot of walking and cycling.
2
我本人喜欢电影、诗歌、外出吃饭和远途散步。

wǒ běn rén xǐ huān diàn yǐng、 、 shī、 gē 、 wài chū chī fàn hé yuǎn tú。

I myself enjoy cinema, poetry, eating out and long walks.
3
如果天气好,我们就出去散散步.

rú guǒ tiān qì hǎo, , wǒ mén jiù chū qù sàn sàn.

We will go out for a walk, weather permitting.
4
去散步好 吗 ?

qù sàn bù hǎo?

What do you say to going for a walk?
5
除了偶尔一两个傍晚出来散步的人，雾蒙蒙的街上空荡荡的。

chú le ǒu ěr yī liǎng gè bàng wǎn chū lái sàn bù de rén， ， wù mēng mēng de jiē shàng kōng dàng dàng。

The foggy streets were virtually empty, except for the occasional evening stroller.
6
她去散步的时候总是有一些事情要考虑。

tā qù sàn bù de shí hòu zǒng shì yǒu yī xiē shì qíng yào kǎo lǜ。

There were always things to think about when she went walking.
7
也许他已经听从了她的建议去河边散步了。

yě xǔ tā yǐ jīng tīng cóng le tā de jiàn yì qù hé biān sàn bù le。

Perhaps he'd followed her suggestion of a stroll to the river.
8
我们散步的时候，这帮小男孩表现得很乖。

wǒ mén sàn bù de shí hòu， ， zhè bāng xiǎo nán hái biǎo xiàn dé hěn。

The boys were as good as gold on our walk.
9
那么，你说你在后面的田地里散步？

nà mó， ， nǐ shuō nǐ zài hòu miàn de tián dì lǐ sàn？

Now then, you say you walk on the fields out the back?
10
他们每天都和保姆一起在公园里散步，表现得很有教养。

tā mén měi tiān dū hé bǎo mǔ yī qǐ zài gōng yuán lǐ sàn bù， ， biǎo xiàn dé hěn yǒu jiào。

They go for decorous walks every day in parks with their nanny.

Cultural Notes for 散步

🏮Cultural insight

Taking a walk, or '散步', is a common social activity in Chinese culture, often seen in parks where families gather or older adults practice tai chi. It reflects a lifestyle that values health and community engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions about 散步

'散步' specifically refers to taking a leisurely walk, not for other forms of exercise like jogging or running.