逐步
zhúbù · HSK 4
step by step
👣 逐 = chase/pursue + 步 = step; pursuing each step in order
逐 means to pursue or one-by-one, and 步 means step or pace. Together they describe advancing one step after another, hence step by step or progressively.
步 — two feet: 止 (foot) on top + 止 inverted below
Originally a pictograph showing two footprints, one above the other, representing the act of walking step by step. The top 止 is a left foot and the bottom is a right foot, capturing alternating strides. The meaning extended from 'step' to 'pace,' 'stage,' or 'walk.'