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.
Imagine a person 'walking' (走) away while waving goodbye. The character has a foot-like shape at the bottom, symbolizing movement. You can think of 'zǒu' as the sound of footsteps fading into the distance, emphasizing the action of going away.
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.
In Chinese culture, the act of 'going' or 'leaving' can carry significant implications, such as visiting family or friends during festivals. The concept of 走 can also relate to the idea of embarking on a journey, which is culturally valued.
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
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 走?
Decomposition of 走
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 走?
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
我们____路去吧。
Let's go on foot.
Example Sentences for 走 (10)
Cultural Notes for 走
In Chinese culture, the act of 'going' or 'leaving' can carry significant implications, such as visiting family or friends during festivals. The concept of 走 can also relate to the idea of embarking on a journey, which is culturally valued.
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).