Meaning and Usage
The suffix ～歩 (～ほ) is used to indicate a number of steps or paces, often to describe walking distances or movements. It can be attached to numbers to express how many steps or paces something is.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see ～歩 in phrases describing walking distances, such as 徒歩 (とほ), meaning "on foot" or "walking." It is also used metaphorically to describe progress or stages, like "the first step" (第一歩).
Collocations and Patterns
- 徒歩＋時間／分 (とほ＋じかん／ふん): walking time or distance, e.g., 徒歩五分 (a five-minute walk)
- 一歩も＋動かない (いっぽも＋うごかない): not moving a single step, emphasizing no movement
- ～歩を踏み出す (～ほをふみだす): to take a step forward, often figurative for starting something
Nuances and Tips
When using ～歩, it often implies a physical or metaphorical step forward. In formal or written Japanese, it is common in expressions about walking distances or progress. Be careful not to confuse ～歩 with 歩く (あるく), which is the verb "to walk." ～歩 is a counter or suffix, not a verb.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes mistake ～歩 as a standalone noun meaning "step" without a number or context. Always use it with a number or in a compound word like 徒歩 to be natural.