徘徊

• Pinyin: pái huái
• Hanzi breakdown: 徘 = 彳 + 非 (walk back and forth); 徊 = 彳 + 回 (turn around, revolve)

Meaning

Linger; to walk back and forth in one place; to hesitate or waver without making a decision.

Describes both physical pacing and psychological hesitation. Common in literary and formal contexts to convey indecision, anxiety, or emotional conflict. Also used in economic reports to describe figures hovering at a level.

Examples

1. 他在医院走廊上徘徊了整整一夜。 He lingered in the hospital hallway all night.
2. 经济增长率在低位徘徊，令市场担忧。 Economic growth is hovering at a low level, worrying the market.
3. 她犹豫不决，在两种选择之间徘徊。 She couldn’t make up her mind, wavering between two choices.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, economics, psychology

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 指数在历史低点附近徘徊，短期内难以突破。(The index has been hovering near historical lows and is unlikely to break out in the short term.)
• 他在门口徘徊了很久才鼓起勇气进去。(He lingered at the door for a long time before summoning the courage to go in.)

Don't Say

• 我在超市徘徊 — use 逛 or 走来走去 for casual browsing or strolling in a shop

Origin & History

徘 + 徊 — both characters contain 彳 (walk), together conveying aimless back-and-forth movement

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal