What does 跑 mean in Chinese?

跑 (pǎo) means "to run; to run away; to escape; to run around (on errands etc); (of a gas or liquid) to leak or evaporate; (verb complement) away; off" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 2.

How do you pronounce 跑?

跑 is pronounced "pǎo" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 跑?

跑 is an HSK 2 word on the new HSK exam syllabus.

What words contain the character 跑?

Common words with 跑 include 奔跑 (to run), 乱跑 (to run around all over the place), 助跑 (to run up (pole vault, javelin, bowling etc)), 吓跑 (to scare away), 快跑 (to run fast).

How do you write 跑?

You can practice writing 跑 using our stroke order tool.

跑 (pǎo), to run

跑

pǎo

to run; to run away; to escape; to run around (on errands etc)

HSK 2 New to HSKverb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 足 (no. 157)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to run
to run away
to escape
to run around (on errands etc)
(of a gas or liquid) to leak or evaporate
(verb complement) away
off

Example Sentences

他跑得很快。

Tā pǎo de hěn kuài

He runs very fast

Words Containing 跑

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
奔跑	bēn pǎo	to run	HSK 6
乱跑	luàn pǎo	to run around all over the place
助跑	zhù pǎo	to run up (pole vault, javelin, bowling etc)
吓跑	xià pǎo	to scare away
快跑	kuài pǎo

Related Words

去(qù)· to go

→

䫏(qī)· mask of a god used in ceremonies to exorcise demons and drive away pestilence

→

一掷千金(yī zhì qiān jīn)· lit. stake a thousand pieces of gold on one throw (idiom); to throw away money recklessly

→

一笑了之(yī xiào liǎo zhī)· to laugh away (instead of taking seriously)

→

Grammar Notes

Directional 来/去HSK 2

Verb + Direction Verb + 来/去

Degree Complement (得)HSK 2

Verb + 得 + Description

Can/May (能 vs 可以)HSK 2

Subject + 能/可以 + Verb + Object

Compound Directional ComplementsHSK 3

Verb + Direction (上/下/进/出/回/过/起) + 来/去

Regardless (无论/不管)HSK 3

无论/不管 + Question Element，Subject + 都/也 + Verb

Appears in these articles

Chinese Sports Vocabulary: 70+ Words for Games, Fitness & Competition

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 2
HSK 2.0: Not listed
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

跑: New to the HSK lists at HSK 2. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 2 exam

Studying for HSK 2? Keep 跑 with the rest of your level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.