歩む
あゆむ
godan verb
to walk, to tread, to follow a path
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 歩む | 歩まない |
| Present polite | 歩みます | 歩みません |
| Past | 歩んだ | 歩まなかった |
| Past polite | 歩みました | 歩みませんでした |
| て form | 歩んで | 歩まなくて |
| ている present | 歩んでいる | 歩んでいない |
| ている polite | 歩んでいます | 歩んでいません |
| ている past | 歩んでいた | 歩んでいなかった |
| ている past polite | 歩んでいました | 歩んでいませんでした |
| Conditional ば | 歩めば | 歩まなければ |
| Conditional たら | 歩んだら | 歩まなかったら |
| Volitional | 歩もう | — |
| Volitional polite | 歩みましょう | — |
| Potential | 歩める | 歩めない |
| Passive | 歩まれる | 歩まれない |
| Causative | 歩ませる | 歩ませない |
| Imperative | 歩め | 歩むな |
1.
to walk, to go on foot
To walk at a steady, deliberate pace. More literary and dignified than the everyday verb 歩く.
道をゆっくり歩む。
To walk slowly along the road.
老人が杖をつきながら歩んでいた。
An elderly person was walking while leaning on a cane.
暗い夜道を一人で歩んだ。
I walked alone along the dark night road.
2.
to follow a path, to pursue a course in life
To progress through life or a career in a particular direction. Used figuratively for life paths, careers, and historical development.
自分の信じる道を歩む。
To follow the path one believes in.
彼は音楽家としての道を歩み始めた。
He began to pursue a path as a musician.
両国は平和への道を共に歩んでいくべきだ。
Both countries should walk together on the path toward peace.
USAGE:
A godan verb (conjugates 歩まない, 歩みます, 歩んで). More literary and dignified than 歩く. In modern Japanese, the figurative sense (pursuing a life path) is more common than the literal walking sense. Often appears in written language, speeches, and formal contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 道を歩む: to walk a path (literal and figurative)
- 人生を歩む: to walk through life
- 共に歩む: to walk together, to progress together
- 新しい一歩を歩み出す: to take a new first step
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 歩く: to walk (everyday, neutral)
- 進む: to advance, to proceed (focuses on forward movement)