ZOU

zou(1)

zou(2)

zou(3)

The predominant meaning of the morpheme 'zou' is:

走 = to leave, to walk

When 走 is used as single-character verb, the meaning 'to leave' is usually associated.

我明天要走. Wo(3) ming(2) tian(1) yao(4) zou(3). = I will leave tomorrow.

If we want to convey the meaning 'I will walk tomorrow' (because today I will take the car), we can say:

我明天要步行. Wo(3) ming(2) tian(1) yao(4) bu(4) xing(2). = I will go on foot tomorrow.

In literature, but not in colloquial Chinese, the following is also possible:

我明天要行走. Wo(3) ming(2) tian(1) yao(4) xing(2) zou(3). = I will walk tomorrow.

Unfortunately, dictionaries of the Chinese language will typically list current and outmoded forms side by side, without specifying which one Chinese speakers nowadays would use.

Note that in Chinese sentences, the adverb of time (like all adverbs) 明天 = ming(2) tian(1) = tomorrow, comes before the verb. Furthermore, if there is a sequence of adverbs or adverbal attributes, the first one is the one deemed most important.

Wrong:

我要步行明天.

Wrong:

我要步行明天和他.

Correct:

我和他明天要步行.

The emphasis is on going 'with him'.

Correct:

我明天和他要步行.= Wo(3) ming(2)tian(1) he(2) ta(1) yao(4) bu(4) xing(2). = I will go on foot with him tomoorow.

The emphasis is on going 'tomorrow'.

zou(4)