step on

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is とう, and the kun readings are ふむ and ふまえる. It has 15 strokes and relates to stepping on something or using it as a basis.
• Basic usage: 踏む is read ふむ, and 踏まえる is read ふまえる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 踏む / 踏まえる
  • 踏む means step on or tread and is read ふむ. It describes physically stepping on something such as flowers or a puddle.
  • 花を踏むことのないよう、道の中央を歩いた。 means “I walked in the center of the path to avoid stepping on the flowers.”
  • 踏まえる means to take into account or to base on and is read ふまえる. It means taking survey results or opinions into account as a basis for a decision.
  • 調査結果を踏まえて、新しい計画を立てた。 means “We drew up a new plan based on the survey results.”