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March 24, 2026
排队(排隊)páiduì(pai2dui4)
排队 (pái duì) refers to the act of lining up or forming a queue. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as waiting for services, public transportation, or during events. The phrase emphasizes orderliness and the importance of waiting one's turn in social situations.
Frequency#4447DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, queuing is taken very seriously, especially in public places like train stations or banks. It reflects respect for others and the social order, which is highly valued in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a parade (排) of ducks (队) all in a straight line, quacking patiently as they wait for their turn to cross the road. The character 排 looks like a row of ducks, and the sound 'pai' can remind you of 'pie' as they line up for a tasty treat.
Meanings of 排队
páiduì(pai2dui4)
1to line up
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About 排队
排队Simplified
排隊Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4447Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 排队
Podcast: 排队
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AI Study Notes for 排队
Quick Contrast
等候 (děnghòu) vs 排队 (páiduì): use 等候 when emphasizing the act of waiting in general, without the implication of forming a line.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a parade (排) of ducks (队) all in a straight line, quacking patiently as they wait for their turn to cross the road. The character 排 looks like a row of ducks, and the sound 'pai' can remind you of 'pie' as they line up for a tasty treat.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 排队 with other similar phrases like 等待 (děngdài), which means 'to wait.' Remember that 排队 specifically implies lining up in an orderly manner. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual situations where a simpler term might suffice.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 排队 connects to other terms related to social interactions and public behavior. Students should focus on contexts where queuing is necessary, such as in markets or transportation hubs, to practice using the term in real-life scenarios.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, queuing is taken very seriously, especially in public places like train stations or banks. It reflects respect for others and the social order, which is highly valued in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 排队 by saying '排等' instead of the correct '排队.' Another common error is using it in contexts where 'waiting' is more appropriate, like saying '我在排队等' when simply saying '我在等' (I am waiting) would suffice.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 排队
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Grammar Patterns of 排队
排队 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Thirty four people were slaughtered while queuing up to cast their votes.
3
排队申请上这所学校的人数达到历史最高峰。
pái duì shēn qǐng shàng zhè suǒ xué xiào de rén shù dá dào lì shǐ zuì gāo fēng。
The queue for places at the school has never been longer.
4
在银行里一定要排队。
zài yín háng lǐ yī dìng yào pái duì。
Make sure you join the queue inside the bank.
5
晚上仍然有人在排队买票。
wǎn shàng réng rán yǒu rén zài pái duì mǎi piào。
There was still a queue for tickets on the night.
Cultural Notes for 排队
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, queuing is taken very seriously, especially in public places like train stations or banks. It reflects respect for others and the social order, which is highly valued in Chinese society.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, while queuing is also common, there may be more flexibility in informal settings, such as at a coffee shop, where people might not always wait in a strict line.
Frequently Asked Questions about 排队
You can say, '我们在超市排队' (Wǒmen zài chāoshì pái duì) meaning 'We are lining up at the supermarket.'
Yes, 排队 is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, making it versatile for everyday communication.
Absolutely, 排队 is appropriate for both formal and informal settings.
