---
title: "Paimai Meaning: 拍卖 (pāimài) Means “to auction”"
description: "拍卖 (traditional 拍賣, pāimài) means “to auction; auction”. Hear its tones, see what 拍 and 卖 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/paimai"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

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

# What does 拍卖 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

拍卖 pāimài

## to auction; auction

## It can also mean

- to sell off (at reduced prices)

## Its characters

1. 拍 pāi to bid at auction
2. 卖 mài to sell

## In a sentence

在上海，普通车牌要**拍卖**，一块车牌就要好几万元。

From [为什么有的车牌是绿色的？ · Why do Chinese cars have green license plates?](https://mandarinthewild.com/library/read/why-chinese-cars-have-green-license-plates#library-word-338-340)

[More about 拍卖](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E6%8B%8D%E5%8D%96)

## More words with 拍 or 卖

- [出卖 chūmài](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/chumai)
- [贩卖 fànmài](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/fanmai)
- [买卖 mǎimài](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/maimai)
- [拍摄 pāishè](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/paishe)
- [拍照 pāizhào](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/paizhao)
- [外卖 wàimài](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/waimai)

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