Meanings of 徊
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About 徊
Podcast: 徊
Podcast: 徊
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AI Study Notes for 徊
Learners often confuse 徊 with similar-sounding characters. It is more common in literary contexts and less so in everyday speech. Be cautious with tone; the second tone 'huái' can easily be mispronounced as the first tone, which changes the meaning.
Although not included in the HSK levels, 徊 connects with other vocabulary related to emotions and decision-making. Focus on using it in phrases about indecision or hesitation, as it pairs well with verbs like 'to think' (想) and 'to choose' (选择).
Learners often mix up 徊 (huái) with 徘 (pái), which changes the meaning to 'to pace back and forth.' A common mistake is saying '我在这里徘' instead of '我在这里徊,' incorrectly dropping the tone which alters the word completely.
Pronunciation of 徊
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Etymology of 徊
To pace 彳 back and forth 回; 回 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 徊
- 1The giveawayTo pace 彳 back and forth 回; 回 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 徊? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 徊?
Decomposition of 徊
Identify the Components
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How to say to hesitate in Chinese
“to hesitate” in Chinese is徊
The character 徊 (huái) means to hesitate or to linger, often reflecting a sense of indecision. It implies a physical or metaphorical pacing back and forth, symbolizing uncertainty or reluctance to make a decision. Commonly used in contexts where one is unsure or hesitant about a choice.
When to use 徊
Learners often confuse 徊 with similar-sounding characters. It is more common in literary contexts and less so in everyday speech. Be cautious with tone; the second tone 'huái' can easily be mispronounced as the first tone, which changes the meaning.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 徊 (huái) with 徘 (pái), which changes the meaning to 'to pace back and forth.' A common mistake is saying '我在这里徘' instead of '我在这里徊,' incorrectly dropping the tone which alters the word completely.
Write 徊
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Practice writing 徊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 徊
徊 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
很多人在查令十字路和丹麦街周围徘____。
Dozens of people milled around Charing Cross Road and Denmark Street.
Example Sentences for 徊 (2)
Word Family of 徊
Compound Meaning
What does 徘徊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 徊
You can say '他在门口徘徊' (He is lingering at the door) to express someone hesitating.
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