Level 2 · Unit 3 Verbs & Actions

How to Write 跑 (pǎo)

Meaning: "Run"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
Loading stroke data...
🖨️ Print Practice Sheet for This Word

Detailed Mastery Guide for 跑

The character 跑 (Traditional: 跑) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Run". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 12-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Verbs & Actions, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

跑步 pǎobù paau2 bou6
to run, jogging
逃跑 táopǎo tou4 paau2
to flee, to escape

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 跑 is built on the radical Foot (⾜), 157. Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

Phono-semantic compound: ⾜ (foot) provides the semantic, and 包 (wrap/bag) provides the phonetic.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 我每天早上都会去公园跑步。

Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang dūhuì qù gōngyuán pǎobù.

Traditional: 我每天早上都會去公園跑步。

ngo5 mui5 tin1 zou2 soeng5 dou1 wui5 heoi3 gung1 jyun2 paau2 bou6.

"I go to the park to run every morning."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as pǎo. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is paau2. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '跑'?

A) To run
B) To sleep
C) To eat
D) To read

Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 3

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

We built this site to ensure everyone has access to free stroke order visualizers without annoying paywalls or trial limits. If you find it helpful, supporting us on Ko-fi helps keep the site running!

☕ Support Us on Ko-fi