徘徊 páihuái to pace back and forth
to pace back and forth; to dither; to hesitate; (of sales figures etc) to fluctuate
怎么记住“徘徊”: 徘 to dither + 徊 to linger = to pace back and forth.
汉字
用法
- Literally to pace back and forth, often anxiously - 他在门口徘徊了很久 (tā zài ménkǒu páihuái le hěn jiǔ) he lingered pacing at the door for a long time.
- Figuratively to waver/hover: 物价在高位徘徊 (wùjià zài gāowèi páihuái) prices hover at a high level; also 徘徊不前 (hesitate to move forward).
- Written and slightly literary; carries indecision or being stuck, unlike neutral 走来走去 (walk around).