跑步 (pǎo bù) — to run, to jog

Definition

跑步 names the activity of running/jogging, usually for exercise — a 把 (bǎ)-style verb-object phrase built on 跑. To describe the act of moving on foot at a normal pace, use 走路 or 走, not 跑步.

verb
to runto jog

Examples

  • 跑步。
    Tā xǐ huan pǎo bù.
    He likes running.
  • 跑步。
    Jīn tiān xià wǔ wǒ men qù pǎo bù.
    This afternoon we go running.
  • 。
    Wǒ pǎo le yí cì bù.
    I went for a run once.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

跑pǎorun
步bùstep

跑 “run” and 步 “step” combine to mean moving quickly on foot.

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
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 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

步 uses two 止 (foot) forms, one reversed, to show one foot stepping in front of the other.

Open 步 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 2HSK 2.0 Level 2Fitness & Exercise

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