1.
pace, step, cadence of walking
The rhythm, speed, or manner of walking. Can refer to literal walking pace.
歩調を速める。
To quicken one's pace.
子どもの歩調に合わせてゆっくり歩いた。
I walked slowly, matching the child's pace.
二人は歩調を合わせて並んで歩いた。
The two walked side by side, keeping in step with each other.
2.
pace, alignment, coordination (of actions)
Used figuratively for the degree to which people, organizations, or countries coordinate their actions or move at the same speed toward a goal.
各国が歩調を合わせて対策を取るべきだ。
All countries should act in step with each other to take countermeasures.
チーム内で歩調が乱れている。
The team is out of sync.
政府と自治体が歩調を合わせて復興に取り組んでいる。
The national government and local authorities are working in coordination on the recovery.
USAGE:
The expression 歩調を合わせる (to keep in step, to coordinate) is by far the most common usage. It works for both literal walking pace and figurative coordination of actions. 歩調が乱れる (to fall out of step) describes a breakdown in coordination.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 歩調を合わせる: to keep in step, to coordinate
- 歩調を速める: to quicken one's pace
- 歩調を緩める: to slow one's pace
- 歩調が乱れる: to fall out of step
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ペース: pace (loanword, used for speed in general)
- 足並み: step, alignment (足並みを揃える = to get in line, to coordinate)