Readings: トウ (Onyomi), ふ.む, ふ.まえる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: step on, tread, trample, set foot on
Semantic-phonetic compound (形声文字). The radical 足 (あし – foot) provides the meaning, while 沓 (トウ/カツ – shoes/repeatedly) acts as the phonetic component and also contributes to the sense of treading or stepping.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 踏 consists of 15 strokes. It starts with the radical 足 on the left, followed by the phonetic component 沓 on the right. Pay attention to the correct order of strokes for each component to ensure proper balance and legibility.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 足 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 15 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | Jouyou |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- トウ (Tō)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- ふむ (fumu)
- ふまえる (fumaeru)
Common Words Using 踏
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 踏襲 | とうしゅう | following, adherence to (a custom, policy) |
| 踏査 | とうさ | field survey, reconnaissance |
| 踏破 | とうは | traversing, completing (a journey on foot) |
| 踏圧 | とうあつ | treading pressure |
| 踏水 | とうすい | treading water |
| 踏面 | とうめん | contact surface (e.g., of a wheel) |
| 踏空 | とうくう | to step into the air (literary/poetic) |
| 踏進 | とうしん | stepping forward, advancing |
| 踏段 | とうだん | stepping stone, steps (less common than 階段) |
| 踏石 | とうせき | stepping stone (often ふみいし, but とうせき can be used in some contexts) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 踏む | ふむ | to step on, to tread |
| 踏まえる | ふまえる | to be based on, to take into account |
| 踏み込む | ふみこむ | to step into, to burst into |
| 踏み出す | ふみだす | to step forward, to start walking |
| 踏み切る | ふみきる | to make a decision, to cross (a railway crossing) |
| 踏み台 | ふみだい | footstool, stepping stool |
| 踏み潰す | ふみつぶす | to step on and crush |
| 踏み荒らす | ふみあらす | to trample down, to lay waste to |
| 踏み外す | ふみはずす | to miss one’s step, to stumble |
| 踏み固める | ふみかためる | to tramp down, to compact |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は誤って人の足を踏んでしまった。
Kana: かれはあやまってひとのあしをふんでしまった。
Romaji: Kare wa ayamette hito no ashi o funde shimatta.
English: He accidentally stepped on someone’s foot.
Japanese: 過去の経験を踏まえて、未来の計画を立てるべきだ。
Kana: かこのけいけんをふまえて、みらいのけいかくをたてるべきだ。
Romaji: Kako no keiken o fumaete, mirai no keikaku o tateru beki da.
English: Based on past experiences, we should make future plans.
Japanese: 新しい一歩を踏み出す勇気が必要です。
Kana: あたらしいいっぽをふみだすゆうきがひつようです。
Romaji: Atarashii ippo o fumidasu yūki ga hitsuyō desu.
English: You need the courage to take a new step.
Japanese: 彼は踏切で電車を待った。
Kana: かれはふみきりででんしゃをまった。
Romaji: Kare wa fumikiri de densha o matta.
English: He waited for the train at the railway crossing.
Japanese: しっかり地面を踏みしめて歩く。
Kana: しっかりじめんをふみしめてあるく。
Romaji: Shikkari jimen o fumishimete aruku.
English: Walk firmly treading on the ground.
Japanese: 私たちは困難を乗り越えて目標を達成するために、着実に一歩一歩を踏んでいかなければならない。
Kana: わたしたちはこんなんをのりこえてもくひょうをたっせいするために、ちゃくじつにいちほいちほをふんでいかなければならない。
Romaji: Watashitachi wa konnan o norikoete mokuhyō o tassei suru tame ni, chakujitsu ni ippo ippo o funde ikanakereba naranai.
English: We must steadily take one step at a time to overcome difficulties and achieve our goals.
Japanese: この規則は日本の文化を踏まえて作られました。
Kana: このきそくはにほんのぶんかをふまえてつくられました。
Romaji: Kono kisoku wa Nihon no bunka o fumaete tsukuraremashita.
English: This rule was made based on Japanese culture.
Japanese: 危険な場所には足を踏み入れないでください。
Kana: きけんなばしょにはあしをふみいれないでください。
Romaji: Kiken na basho ni wa ashi o fumiirenaide kudasai.
English: Please do not step into dangerous places.
Japanese: 子供が転んで泥に足を踏み入れた。
Kana: こどもがころんでどろにあしをふみいれた。
Romaji: Kodomo ga koronde doro ni ashi o fumiireta.
English: The child fell and stepped into the mud.
Japanese: 彼は多くの苦難を踏破して、ついに夢を実現した。
Kana: かれはおおくのくなんをとうはして、ついにゆめをじつげんした。
Romaji: Kare wa ooku no kunan o tōha shite, tsui ni yume o jitsugen shita.
English: He overcame many hardships and finally realized his dream.
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