大步 (dà bù) — big stride; long step

Definition

Refers to long, confident strides — a manner of walking with wide steps, not the size of a foot. Often pairs with 迈 ('take a step') as in 迈着大步.

noun
big stridelong step
Easily confused

Examples

  • 大步。
    Tā dà bù xiàng jiào shì zǒu qù.
    He walked to the classroom in big strides.
  • 大步，。
    Tā mài zhe dà bù, kàn qǐ lái hěn zì xìn.
    She took big strides, looking very confident.
  • 大步，。
    Wǒ xí guàn dà bù zǒu lù, zǒu dé hěn kuài.
    I am used to walking in big strides, and I walk very fast.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

大dàbig
步bùstep

The 大 (big) and 步 (step) form a big stride.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 大 is a picture of a person standing and facing forward, not of someone stretching their arms.

Open 大 →

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

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

Open 步 →

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