跑 meaning and stroke order
To run; to run away; to escape
How to write 跑, stroke by stroke
12 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 跑
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to run
- to run away
- to escape
- to run around (on errands etc)
- (of a gas or liquid) to leak or evaporate
- (verb complement) away
- (of an animal) to paw (the ground)
How 跑 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Foot.
足 gives the meaning and 包 hints at the sound.
Radical: 足 (foot), shared by 119 characters on this site.
How to remember 跑
跑 is pictophonetic: the foot radical 足 on the left shows the meaning, and 包 (bāo) on the right hints at the sound. Picture a foot racing away with a package 包 tucked under your arm.
跑 (pǎo) is an everyday verb for running, and it also means running away or running around on errands. It often appears as a complement meaning "away," as in 跑了 (pǎo le, ran off). Example: 我每天早上跑步。(Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang pǎobù.) I go running every morning.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 跑 (pǎo, to run) with 跳 (tiào, to jump), since both have the foot radical 足 on the left. Check the right side: 跑 has 包, and 跳 has 兆.
Common words with 跑
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 跑步 | pǎobù | to run; to jog | HSK 3 |
| 逃跑 | táopǎo | to flee from sth; to run away | HSK 5 |
| 奔跑 | bēnpǎo | to run | HSK 6 |
| 长跑 | chángpǎo | long-distance running | HSK 6 |
| 跑道 | pǎodào | athletic track; track | HSK 7-9 |
| 跑车 | pǎochē | racing bicycle; racing car; sports car; to drive a vehicle (such as a truck or taxi) for a | HSK 7-9 |
| 赛跑 | sàipǎo | race (running); to race (running) | HSK 7-9 |
| 起跑线 | qǐpǎoxiàn | the starting line (of a race); scratch line (in a relay race) | HSK 7-9 |
| 跑龙套 | pǎo lóngtào | to play a small role | HSK 7-9 |
| 跑掉 | pǎodiào | to run away; to take to one's heels | |
| 乱跑 | luànpǎo | to run around; to run about aimlessly | |
| 吓跑 | xiàpǎo | to scare away | |
| 跑腿 | pǎotuǐ | to run errands | |
| 慢跑 | mànpǎo | jogging; to jog |
跑 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 跑
How many strokes are in 跑?
跑 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 跑 mean?
跑 (pǎo) means to run; to run away; to escape. A common word with it is 跑步 (pǎobù), meaning "to run; to jog".
How do you pronounce 跑?
跑 is pronounced pǎo, in the third tone (dipping).
What is the radical of 跑?
The radical of 跑 is 足, which carries the idea of "foot". Dictionaries list 跑 under this radical.
Is 跑 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 跑 is part of the HSK 1 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 1.
What is the difference between 跑 and 走 in Chinese?
跑 (pǎo) means to run, while 走 (zǒu) usually means to walk or to leave. In classical Chinese 走 meant to run, which is why you still see it in some set phrases.
Can 跑 mean something other than running with your legs?
Yes. It can mean running errands, as in 跑银行 (pǎo yínháng, to make trips to the bank). It can also describe a gas or liquid leaking or evaporating, as in 气跑了 (qì pǎo le, the air leaked out).