田径

• Pinyin: tián jìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 田 = field; 径 = path, track — track and field athletics

Meaning

Track and field; athletics. The sport consisting of running, jumping, and throwing events.

Includes events like sprinting, long-distance running, hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin, etc. Common collocations: 田径比赛 (track and field competition), 田径运动员 (track and field athlete), 田径队 (track team). 田 refers to field events, 径 refers to track events. A major category in the Olympics.

Examples

1. 中国田径队在这届奥运会上取得了历史性突破。 The Chinese track and field team achieved a historic breakthrough at this Olympics.
2. 她从小就展现出田径运动的天赋。 She has shown talent for track and field since she was young.
3. 学校每年都会举办田径运动会。 The school holds a track and field meet every year.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, Olympics, school

Tone: athletic

Do Say

• 他是田径专业的运动员。(He is a professional track and field athlete.)
• 田径运动会什么时候开始？(When does the track and field meet start?)

Don't Say

• 球类运动不属于田径 (Ball sports are not 田径 — track and field only includes running, jumping, and throwing events)

Origin & History

Compound of 田 (field) + 径 (track, path). 田 represents field events (jumping, throwing), while 径 represents track events (running).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal