---
title: "Paihuai Meaning: 徘徊 (páihuái) Means “to pace back and forth”"
description: "徘徊 (páihuái) means “to pace back and forth”. Hear its tones, see what 徘 and 徊 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/paihuai"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 徘徊 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

徘徊 páihuái

## to pace back and forth

## It can also mean

- to waver; to hesitate
- to fluctuate (of figures)

## Its characters

1. 徘 pái to pace back and forth (as in 徘徊)
2. 徊 huái to pace back and forth (as in 徘徊)

## In a sentence

他在门口徘徊了很久。 He paced back and forth at the door for a long time.

[More about 徘徊](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E5%BE%98%E5%BE%8A)

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