1.
how many steps
The interrogative form of the 歩 ("step") counter, used to ask how many steps. Combines 何- ("how many," the question marker for counters) with the counter 歩, with the doubled-consonant reading change ぽ. Used both literally for footsteps and figuratively for amounts of progress.
何歩歩いた？
How many steps did you walk?
My grandfather checks his pedometer every day to see how many steps he walked.
何歩 is the interrogative form of the 歩 ("step") counter, used to ask how many steps. Like other counters in the same series, it shows phonetic doubling: 何 + 歩 → なんぽ.
Forms
COUNTER SERIES (the 歩 counter):
- 一歩: one step
- 二歩: two steps
- 三歩: three steps
- 四歩: four steps
- 五歩: five steps
- 六歩: six steps
- 七歩: seven steps
- 八歩: eight steps
- 九歩: nine steps
- 十歩: ten steps
- 何歩: how many steps
Common collocations
- 何歩歩く: to walk how many steps
- 何歩進む: to advance how many steps
- 何歩下がる: to step back how many paces
- 何歩くらい: about how many steps
Similar / related terms
- 一歩: one step
- 二歩: two steps
- 歩数: number of steps (collective noun, used with pedometers and fitness apps)
- 歩数計: pedometer
Usage
- 何歩 is most often heard in everyday questions about distance or fitness; with the spread of smartphones and fitness apps, the related term 歩数 has become very common in talking about daily step counts.
- Like other interrogative counters, 何歩 can also be used in indirect questions and reflective contexts: 何歩歩いたか覚えていない ("I don't remember how many steps I walked").