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排队
pái duì
to queue up
我们需要排队买票。
We need to queue up to buy tickets.
neutral
To stand or wait in a line to be served or admitted.
在超市排队结账的人很多。
There are many people queuing up to check out at the supermarket.
他排队买最新的手机。
He queued up to buy the latest phone.
Commonly used in everyday contexts like shopping, dining, or public services.
Pro Tip
Cultural Note
In China, queuing is often seen as a virtue of social order and respect. Cutting in line ('插队') is generally frowned upon and may lead to social disapproval.
Gold Rule
Usage Context
Use 排队 when referring to the act of lining up in a physical space. For virtual waiting lists or digital queues, terms like '排队系统' (queueing system) or '等待名单' (waitlist) may be more appropriate.
Word Origin
The word '排队' is a compound formed by two Chinese characters: '排' (pái), meaning 'to arrange' or 'to put in order,' and '队' (duì), meaning 'a line' or 'a group.' Together, they describe the action of arranging oneself in a line.
Usage Notes
排队 is a common phrase in Chinese used to describe the act of lining up in an orderly manner. It is widely used in contexts where waiting in line is necessary, such as buying tickets, shopping, or entering a venue. The phrase is straightforward and does not carry any figurative or idiomatic meaning beyond its literal sense.
Word Breakdown
排
to arrange or put in order
verb队
a line or group
noun汉英词典