跑 (pǎo) — to run

HSK 1 | verb | to run, to jog

跑 (pǎo)

A verb meaning "to run." It describes moving quickly on foot and is used for running for exercise, in a race, or to escape. The character uses the 足 (foot) radical on the left, making the meaning easy to remember.

Meanings

  1. [verb] To run, to jog, to sprint.

Example Sentences

我每天早上跑步。 Wǒ měitiān zǎoshàng pǎobù. I go running every morning.

他跑得很快。 Tā pǎo de hěn kuài. He runs very fast.

小狗跑过来了。 Xiǎo gǒu pǎo guòlái le. The puppy ran over.

她跑了一个小时。 Tā pǎo le yīgè xiǎoshí. She ran for one hour.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
跑步 to jog, running (exercise)
跑得快 to run fast
跑过来 to run over (toward speaker)
跑过去 to run over (away from speaker)
跑步机 treadmill
快跑 run fast, run!

Memory Hook

跑 has the 足 (foot) radical on the left — feet moving quickly. The right side 包 (bāo, to wrap/bag) sounds similar to "pow," like the burst of energy when you sprint off the starting line.