Definition
踏步 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning to march in place or to mark time. It can be separated with a measure word or duration inserted between the syllables, like 踏了几步 ('took a few steps'). By extension, it often describes situations that are stagnant or not making progress — used metaphorically like 'to tread water' in English.
v.o.
to march in placeto mark time(figurative) to stagnateto make no progress
Examples
- 踏步。Jiàoliàn ràng wǒmen yuándì tà bù shí fēnzhōng.The coach had us march in place for ten minutes.
- ，。Tā zhǐ zài yuándì tà le jǐ bù, bìng méiyǒu qiánjìn.He only took a few steps in place and didn't move forward.
- 踏步，。Gōngsī de yèjì yìzhí zài tà bù, méiyǒu zēngzhǎng.The company's performance has been stagnating with no growth.
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