跑
pǎo
To run in Chinese is 跑 (pǎo). Wiktionary also lists 奔跑 (bēnpǎo) and 走 (zǒu).
Meaning: to move quickly on two feet (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 跑 | pǎo | |
| 奔跑 | bēnpǎo | |
| 走 | zǒu | literary |
The primary way to express moving quickly on two feet is 跑. In a colloquial sense, 跑 can also be used to mean 'to go about' or 'to run' errands or business, such as in the term 跑腿 (pǎotuǐ – to run errands).
Which one should you use?
While 跑 is the common way to say run, 奔跑 is a more formal term often used in literature to describe the act of running or dashing. Additionally, 走 is a literary way to express running or moving away.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the action of running has been completed or has already occurred, you can add the particle 了 after 跑 (跑了). To describe the manner in which someone runs, use the structure 跑得 to introduce a complement of degree, such as 跑得快 (runs fast).
How do you pronounce it?
pǎo
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 他跑了起來。He began to run.This sentence shows how to use the form 跑 to indicate the beginning of an action.Tatoeba #13532022 by LeviHighway, translation #300899 by CK
- 你為什麼逃走？Why did you run away?This sentence shows how to use the form 走 to express running away.Tatoeba #3742393 by egg0073, translation #38653 by CK
- 狗跑得比人快。A dog can run faster than a man can.This sentence shows how to use the form 跑 with a complement of degree.Tatoeba #8743952 by crescat, translation #239209 by CK
- 他每天都在公园里跑步。(Tā měitiān dōu zài gōngyuán lǐ pǎobù.)He runs in the park every day.
- 孩子们在操场上奔跑着。(Háizimen zài cāochǎng shàng bēnpǎo zhe.)The children are running on the playground.
- 我喜欢在早晨跑步。(Wǒ xǐhuān zài zǎochén pǎobù.)I like to go for a run in the morning.
- 去公园跑跑吧，天气很好。(Qù gōngyuán pǎo pǎo ba, tiānqì hěn hǎo.)Let's go for a jog in the park, the weather is great.
- 他飞奔过来告诉我好消息。(Tā fēibēn guòlái gàosù wǒ hǎo xiāoxi.)He dashed over to tell me the good news.
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A boy and a girl are exercising at a park.
- 梓涵 Zihan我们要不要一起跑？Wǒmen yào bù yào yīqǐ pǎo?Do you want to run together?
- 伟 Wei好，我们跑吧。Hǎo, wǒmen pǎo ba.Okay, let's run.
- 梓涵 Zihan你跑得真快！Nǐ pǎo de zhēn kuài!You run really fast!
- 伟 Wei谢谢，你也跑得不错。Xièxiè, nǐ yě pǎo de bùcuò.Thanks, you run well too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “run” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 走, 跑, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
