歩く
aruku[a̠ɾɯ̟kɯ̟]
To walk in Japanese is 歩く (aruku).
歩く is a common and versatile word for 'to walk' suitable for both casual and formal situations.
Which one should you use?
Additionally, the word 歩む (ayumu) conveys a more deliberate and purposeful type of walking, often used in formal or poetic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form of 歩く is 歩きます. To express the past tense, you use 歩いた. If you wish to describe walking continuously or persistently, you can use 歩き続ける.
How do you pronounce it?
aruku
Did you know?
- The word 歩く is used in the term 歩行者天国 (hokōsha tengoku), which literally translates to 'pedestrian paradise' to describe a shopping street closed to cars.
- The kanji 歩 consists of two parts that resemble feet, visually representing the repetitive action of taking steps.
- The phrase 歩み寄り (ayumiyori) uses the root of 歩む to mean 'compromising' or 'coming to a mutual understanding' by metaphorically walking toward each other.
Examples in context
- 歩くと遠いですか。Is it too far to walk?This sentence uses 歩く to ask about the distance of a walk.Tatoeba #83205 by small_snow, translation #320512 by CK
- 鉄道の線路を歩くのは危険だ。It's dangerous to walk on railway lines.This sentence uses 歩く to warn about the danger of walking on railway lines.Tatoeba #125232 by bunbuku, translation #278761 by sundown
- タクシーより歩く方が早いよ。It'll be quicker to walk than to take a taxi.This sentence uses 歩く to compare walking with taking a taxi.Tatoeba #9049011 by bunbuku, translation #40932 by CK
- 私たちは公園で散歩します。We will take a walk in the park.
- 人生の道を歩むことは勇気がいります。Walking the path of life requires courage.
- 今晩、犬と一緒に散歩しませんか？Would you like to go for a walk with the dog tonight?
- 彼女は夕日が沈むまで海岸を歩き続けました。She kept walking along the beach until the sunset.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is deciding how to go to a nearby cafe.
- 大翔 Hirotoそこまで歩く？Soko made aruku?Are you walking there?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、歩きたいな。Un, arukitai na.Yeah, I want to walk.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、少し遠いよ。Misaki, sukoshi tōi yo.Misaki, it's a bit far.
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫、歩けるよ。Daijōbu, arukeru yo.It's okay, I can walk.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 歩く, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
