The Chinese word 跑道 is a compound noun formed by combining two meaningful characters: 跑 (pǎo), which means "to run", and 道 (dào), which means "road", "path", or "way". This construction follows a common pattern in Chinese where two characters are merged to create a new, specific term that logically describes its function. Literally, it translates to "running path" or "road for running", and it is used to denote either a running track (for athletics) or a runway (for aircraft), with the specific meaning determined by context. This method of word formation, where the combined meaning of the parts directly indicates the whole, is a fundamental feature of the Chinese language.