Definition

1. Verb:
   • To step over, to step across: To move by lifting one's foot and placing it on the other side of an object or obstacle, typically without touching it.
   • To cross over, to pass over: To move from one side to the other, overcoming or traversing a boundary, limit, or threshold, often used metaphorically.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy bước qua vũng nước. (He stepped over the puddle.)
  • Cô ấy bước qua ngưỡng cửa. (She stepped over the threshold.)
  • Chúng ta cần bước qua những khó khăn này. (We need to cross over/overcome these difficulties.)

Advanced Usage

• "bước qua một giai đoạn": to pass through/enter a new phase or stage.
  • Đất nước đang bước qua một giai đoạn phát triển mới. (The country is entering a new phase of development.)
• "bước qua ranh giới": to cross a boundary/line (literal or figurative).
  • Anh ta đã bước qua ranh giới của sự cho phép. (He crossed the line of what is permissible.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bước (verb): to step, to walk.
  • Bước vào: to step into, to enter.
  • Bước đi: to walk, to step away.
• Qua (verb/preposition): to pass, to cross; over, across.
• Vượt qua (verb): to overcome, to surpass (emphasizes overcoming a challenge more strongly than ).

Synonyms

• Bước sang: to step over to (another side/area). Often interchangeable.
• Vượt qua: to overcome, to get over (often for abstract challenges).
• Vượt (verb): to cross, to surpass.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bước qua bước lại: to pace back and forth.
  • Ông ấy bước qua bước lại trong phòng chờ. (He paced back and forth in the waiting room.)

Related Idioms

• Bước qua đầu nhau: (Figurative) To step over each other; to act ruthlessly or competitively without regard for others to get ahead.
  • Trong thương trường, họ sẵn sàng bước qua đầu nhau. (In business, they are willing to step over each other/to crush each other to succeed.)
• Bước qua lời hứa: (Figurative, less common) To break a promise; to go back on one's word (literally: to step over a promise).
  • Anh ta đã bước qua lời hứa với tôi. (He broke his promise to me.)