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起跑线 (qǐ pǎo xiàn) — starting line (of a race); starting point, starting line (figurative, e.g., in life or competition)

Definition

Literally the race's starting line; figuratively, the conditions or background from which someone begins life or a competition. Unlike 起点 and 出发点, 起跑线 emphasizes the fairness gap between people at the outset.

noun
starting line (of a race)starting pointstarting line (figurative, e.g., in life or competition)
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • 起跑线。
    Zhè tiáo qǐ pǎo xiàn shì yòng bái xiàn huà de.
    This starting line is drawn with white chalk.
  • 起跑线。
    Jiào yù shì gǎi biàn rén shēng qǐ pǎo xiàn de guān jiàn.
    Education is the key to changing one's starting line in life.
  • 起跑线。
    Bú yào bào yuàn zì jǐ de qǐ pǎo xiàn bǐ bié rén dī.
    Don't complain that your starting line is lower than others'.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

起跑start a run
起qǐstart跑pǎorun
动宾Verb + object
线xiànline

「起」as start, 「跑」as run, 「线」as line: the line where a run begins.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
走走zǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì起qǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

Open 起 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
足足zúfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
包
包bāo跑pǎo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

跑 combines 足, showing a foot, with 包, which gives the sound.

Open 跑 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 線; 线 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
泉
泉quán線xiàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 線 uses 糹 (silk/thread) to show the meaning and 泉 to suggest the sound; the simplified 线 is a later shorthand.

Open 线 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Sports & Athletics

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