徘 (pái) - To pace back and forth, to hesitate, to & used in the word 徘徊 (pai2 huai2) meaning

徘Tone 2

pái ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

徘 · pái

To pace back and forth, to hesitate, to waver;

used in the word 徘徊 (pai2 huai2) meaning to pace, hesitate, or linger.

To pace back and forth, to hesitate, toused in the word 徘徊 (pai2 huai2) meaning

Usage highlights

Pace back and forthHesitate and waverLinger in a placePacing aloneWander aimlessly

Synonyms

  • 犹豫— to hesitate, to be indecisive
  • 踌躇— to hesitate, to falter

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He paced back and forth in the hallway (在走廊里徘徊).
  • She hesitated before making the decision (在决定前徘徊).
  • A ghost is said to linger near the old house (在旧屋附近徘徊).

Collocations

  • Pace back and forth(徘徊)
  • Hesitate and waver(徘徊不定)
  • Linger in a place(徘徊不去)
  • Pacing alone(独自徘徊)
  • Wander aimlessly(徘徊街头)

Idioms

  • To pace back and forth, unable to decide(徘徊歧路)
  • To hesitate and waver(徘徊观望)
  • To linger, unwilling to leave(徘徊留恋)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 徘 is almost exclusively used in the disyllabic word 徘徊, which conveys a sense of uncertainty, hesitation, or lingering.
  • In classical Chinese poetry, 徘徊 often describes a mood of melancholy, contemplation, or indecision.
  • It can also be used to describe the movement of spirits or ghosts in folklore, adding a supernatural connotation.

FAQ