Definition

1. Verb:
   • To walk abreast, to stroll side by side: To walk next to someone at the same pace and level, often implying companionship, equality, or a shared journey.
   • To catch up with, to overtake, to keep pace with: To reach the same level of progress, development, or achievement as someone or something else; to match or equal a standard.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hai người bạn thân sánh bước dọc bờ biển. (The two close friends walked abreast along the seashore.)
  • Đất nước phấn đấu để sánh bước với các cường quốc về công nghệ. (The country strives to catch up with the superpowers in technology.)
  • Họ sánh bước nhau trong sự nghiệp. (They keep pace with each other in their careers.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a poetic or aspirational tone, used in both literal (physical walking) and figurative (progress, development) contexts.
• It implies harmony, parallel effort, and a goal of equality rather than competition.

Variants and Related Words

• Bước (n/v): Step; to step. This is the root word within "sánh bước."
• Song hành (v): To go in parallel, to accompany. A close synonym in figurative use.
• Ngang hàng (adj/phr): Equal, on par with.

Synonyms

• Walk side by side: For the literal meaning.
• Keep pace with: For the figurative meaning of matching progress.
• Match, equal, rival: For achieving a similar standard.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Sánh vai: Literally "to shoulder abreast." A very similar idiom meaning to stand or work together as equals.
  • Hai nước sánh vai cùng phát triển. (The two countries stand shoulder to shoulder in development.)
• While "sánh bước" itself is the core phrase, it is the standard construction. Other phrases like "cùng sánh bước" (to walk abreast together) are common elaborations.

verb

1. to walk abreast, to stroll abreast to catch up with, to overtake