跑道

• Pinyin: pǎo dào
• Hanzi breakdown: 跑 = 足 + 包 (run); 道 = 辶 + 首 (path, way, leading route)

Meaning

Track; runway; a designated lane or strip for running, racing, or aircraft takeoff and landing.

Used in both athletic and aviation contexts. In sports, refers to running tracks in stadiums; in aviation, refers to airport runways. Metaphorically used in business to describe a startup's financial runway.

Examples

1. 运动员在跑道上全力冲刺，打破了全国纪录。 The athlete sprinted all-out on the track and broke the national record.
2. 飞机在跑道上滑行加速后腾空而起。 After taxiing and accelerating down the runway, the plane lifted off.
3. 创业公司需要精心规划资金跑道，以维持长期运营。 A startup needs to plan its financial runway carefully to sustain long-term operations.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, aviation, business, infrastructure

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 暴风雪导致机场三条跑道临时关闭，数百架次航班延误。(The blizzard caused three airport runways to be temporarily closed, delaying hundreds of flights.)
• 训练场新铺设的塑胶跑道大大提升了运动员的训练体验。(The newly laid synthetic running track at the training facility has greatly improved athletes' training experience.)

Don't Say

• 他在跑道里散步 — use 操场 or 公园小径 for general walkways; 跑道 is purpose-built for running or aircraft, not casual strolling

Origin & History

跑 (run) + 道 (path, lane, way) — a designated path for running or movement

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal