wǔ
步武
close distance; follow
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
close distance; a short step
literaryAn archaic, literary measurement of distance. '武' was half a '步' (one step). The phrase '不武' thus means a very short distance.
Liǎng两
rén人
bǐ比
lín邻
ér而
jū居
，
xiāng相
qù去
bù不
wǔ武
。
The two live as neighbors, just a stone's throw apart.
Mù目
biāo标
jiù就
zài在
yǎn眼
qián前
，
bù不
wǔ武
zhī之
yáo遥
。
The goal is right before our eyes, just a short step away.
verb
to follow closely; to emulate
literaryMetaphorically means to follow in someone's footsteps or emulate their example, especially of respected predecessors.
Tā他
lì立
zhì志
bù不
wǔ武
qián前
xián贤
，
zài在
xué学
shù术
shàng上
zuò做
chū出
gòng贡
xiàn献
。
He aspires to follow in the footsteps of great scholars and contribute academically.
Zhè这
wèi位
yì艺
shù术
jiā家
de的
fēng风
gé格
bù不
wǔ武
qí其
shī师
，
dàn但
yòu又
dú独
jù具
gè个
xìng性
。
This artist's style closely emulates that of his teacher, yet possesses its own unique personality.