一步步 (yī bù bù) — step by step; gradually (describing a process)

Definition

A reduplicated adverbial phrase meaning 'one step at a time' — used before a verb (often with 地) to describe a process unfolding gradually.

numeral

step by stepgradually (describing a process)

一步步。
Tā yī bù bù dì zǒu xiàng chéng gōng.
He moved step by step toward success.
一步步。
Zhè ge jì huà xū yào yī bù bù shí shī.
This plan needs to be implemented step by step.
一步步。
Wǒ yī bù bù xué huì le tán gāng qín.
I learned to play the piano step by step.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

止止步

步 uses two 止 (foot) forms, one reversed, to show one foot stepping in front of the other.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

止止步

步 uses two 止 (foot) forms, one reversed, to show one foot stepping in front of the other.

Appears in