To place one's foot on something; to step on or tread upon (often physically pressing down).
子どもが誤って友達の足を踏んでしまった。
The child accidentally stepped on his friend's foot.
泥で靴が汚れないように、花壇には踏み入らないでください。
Please do not step into the flowerbed so your shoes don't get muddy.
配達員が荷物の箱を足で踏んで開けてしまった。
The delivery person stepped on the package box and opened it.
To set foot on a place (e.g., foreign soil); to step onto or visit a place.
彼は初めて日本の土を踏んだとき、感動で泣いた。
When he set foot on Japanese soil for the first time, he cried with emotion.
ツアー客は遺跡の中心部には踏み入らないように注意された。
Tourists were warned not to step into the central area of the ruins.
彼女は留学で初めてヨーロッパの地を踏んだ。
She set foot in Europe for the first time when she went to study abroad.
To undergo or experience something (an event, hardship, stage).
若い頃にいくつもの失敗を踏んだことで今の自信がある。
Having gone through many failures when he was young is why he has confidence now.
彼は幾つかの部署を踏んでからそのポストに就いた。
He held several positions (went through several departments) before taking that post.
長い交渉を踏んで合意に至った。
After lengthy negotiations, they reached an agreement.
To follow prescribed rules or procedures; to go through formalities or required steps.
申請はまず書類を揃え、所定の手続きを踏んで提出してください。
For the application, first prepare the documents and submit them after following the prescribed procedures.
公式の承認を得るためにはいくつかの段階を踏む必要がある。
You need to go through several stages to obtain official approval.
異動の際は社内の手続きをきちんと踏むべきだ。
When transferring positions, one should properly follow the company's procedures.
To estimate or judge (often used as 'to assume that ...'); to guess or appraise based on available information.
渋滞は解消されると踏んで少し遅めに出発したが、まだ混んでいた。
I estimated the traffic would clear and left a bit later, but it was still crowded.
彼の勝利を固いと踏んで賭けに出した人もいた。
Some people wagered, assuming his victory was certain.
来月には需要が戻ると踏んで在庫を少し減らした。
I guessed demand would return next month and reduced stock a little.
To rhyme; to create matching end sounds (commonly used in the phrase '韻を踏む').
地元のラッパーたちはフリースタイルで巧みに韻を踏む。
Local rappers skillfully rhyme in freestyle.
詩人は最後の行で強く韻を踏んで読者の印象を残した。
The poet strongly rhymed in the final line, leaving an impression on the reader.
To succeed to a throne or inherit a high position (formal/historical usage).
長男が父の死後、正式に王位を踏んだ。
The eldest son formally succeeded to the throne after his father's death.