Meaning
To start walking or move to a different place.
Cultural Background
In traditional Korean dance, the 'beoseon' (traditional socks) movement is crucial. The way a dancer 'moves their steps' is considered the peak of aesthetic beauty, emphasizing the 'jeong-jung-dong' (stillness in motion). With the rise of 'walking tours' (Dulle-gil) in Seoul and Jeju, this phrase is used in marketing to invite people to experience the city's history step-by-step. The phrase is a staple in 'melodrama' scripts. When a character leaves their lover, the camera often focuses on their feet as they 'move their steps' away, symbolizing the finality of the decision.
Use with Adjectives
Always try to pair this with '가벼운' (light) or '무거운' (heavy) to instantly sound like a native speaker describing their mood.
Don't skip the '을'
In casual Korean, object markers are often dropped, but in this specific collocation, keeping '을' makes it sound much more natural and rhythmic.
Meaning
To start walking or move to a different place.
Use with Adjectives
Always try to pair this with '가벼운' (light) or '무거운' (heavy) to instantly sound like a native speaker describing their mood.
Don't skip the '을'
In casual Korean, object markers are often dropped, but in this specific collocation, keeping '을' makes it sound much more natural and rhythmic.
News Anchor Style
If you want to sound professional, use this phrase when reporting where you went. It's the 'gold standard' for formal movement descriptions.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
우리는 전시회를 다 본 후에 식당으로 발걸음을 ______.
The past tense of '옮기다' is '옮겼어요'. It is the standard collocation for moving to a new location.
Which sentence is the most natural for a tour guide to say?
Choose the best option:
This is the standard formal way to announce a transition to a new location.
Match the adjective with the correct emotional context for '발걸음을 옮기다'.
Context: Someone is very happy and excited.
'가벼운' (light) describes the steps of someone who is happy or energetic.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises우리는 전시회를 다 본 후에 식당으로 발걸음을 ______.
The past tense of '옮기다' is '옮겼어요'. It is the standard collocation for moving to a new location.
Choose the best option:
This is the standard formal way to announce a transition to a new location.
Context: Someone is very happy and excited.
'가벼운' (light) describes the steps of someone who is happy or energetic.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, this is strictly for walking. For driving, use '차를 몰다' or '이동하다'.
Yes, but it might sound a bit formal or 'extra.' Use it when you want to be descriptive about your day.
'걸음' is just a step. '발걸음' refers to the whole action or manner of the feet moving. They are often interchangeable in this phrase.
No, '이사하다' is only for moving your residence. '옮기다' is for moving objects or steps.
Yes, it is a standard Korean phrase used across the peninsula, though North Korean media might use it with even more formal/military overtones.
Related Phrases
발길을 돌리다
similarTo turn one's steps back
발을 떼다
builds onTo take the first step
걸음마를 배우다
specialized formTo learn to walk (toddler)
발을 들이다
similarTo set foot in
