移步 (yí bù) — to step; to move one's steps (formal/literary)

Definition

Formal/literary verb meaning 'to step, to move one's steps,' typically used in written invitations or stage directions to politely ask someone to come somewhere. Think of it as a more elevated alternative to 走.

verb
to stepto move one's steps (formal/literary)

Examples

  • 移步。
    Qǐng yí bù dào huì yì shì lái.
    Please step into the conference room.
  • ，。
    Tā yí le liǎng bù, zhàn zài mén kǒu.
    He took two steps and stood at the door.
  • 移步。
    Qǐng nín yí bù qián lái yí xù.
    Please come over for a chat.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

移yímove
步bùsteps

移 indicates moving, and 步 indicates steps, giving the idea of moving one's steps.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hé
Sound part声符shēngfú
多
多duō移
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

移 pairs 禾, a grain plant, with 多, which gives the sound.

Open 移 →

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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