踏步

tàbù

verb #23,983

Meanings

1 to mark time (military)
2 to step in place
3 to stride
4 (fig.) to stagnate / to make no progress

Characters

to step on / to tread

step / pace / walk

Examples

士兵们在操场上踏步训练。

Shìbīngmen zài cāochǎng shàng tàbù xùnliàn.

The soldiers were training by marching in place on the drill ground.

这家公司原地踏步，没有任何创新。

Zhè jiā gōngsī yuándì tàbù, méiyǒu rènhé chuàngxīn.

This company is treading water with no innovation whatsoever.

Tips

usage

原地踏步 (yuándì tàbù) — to march in place without going anywhere — is a common idiom for stagnation or making no real progress despite appearing busy.

Stroke Order

踏 tà

步 bù