걷다 vs 도보하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 걷다
Listen to 도보하다
| 걷다 | 도보하다 |
|---|---|
GEOT-da verb | dobohada verb |
| to walk (move on foot) | to travel on foot; to go by walking (formal/technical) |
How they differ
도보하다 is a more formal or technical term emphasizing movement 'by foot' (often contrasting with other modes of transport), while 걷다 is the everyday verb for walking. 도보하다 frequently appears in written instructions, reports, signage, or statistics rather than casual conversation.
When to use each
When to use 걷다: Use 걷다 in ordinary spoken or written contexts to describe someone walking in a neutral way.
When to use 도보하다: Use 도보하다 in formal, technical, or written contexts where you need to specify that movement was made on foot (e.g., reports, signs, schedules).
Side-by-side examples
- 학생들은 학교까지 걸었다.
(The students walked to school.) - 학생들은 도보로 등교했다.
(The students commuted to school on foot.)
Register & nuance: 도보하다 is formal and more common in written, official, or technical contexts than in casual speech.