Meaning

Primary

To Walk

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means walk so the verb version means to walk.

Reading

あるく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

You have to remember the ある portion. Imagine yourself going to walk outside. But, as you walk, you walk like a pirate. You have a peg leg, a parrot, and a hook. Lastly, you say "arrrrr" (ある). Go ahead, say it out loud while walking around your room like a pirate. It will help.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 同じ方向に歩く

    to walk in the same direction

    いつものように歩く

    to walk as usual

    いっしょに歩く

    to walk together

Context Sentences

学こうまで歩くつもりです。

I’m planning to walk to school.

あなたと手をつないで歩くなんて、何年ぶりかしら。

It's the first time we've walked holding hands in a long time.

私はとても太いので、私が道を歩いている時にペニーを踏んだら、女王様の鼻から鼻くそが飛び出ます。

I’m so fat that when I walk down the street and step on a penny, I squeeze a booger out of the Queen’s nose.

Kanji Composition