排队吗？
pái duì ma?
Is this the line · trad. 排隊嗎？
排队吗？ (páiduì ma) is a common question to ask if you are in the correct line or if a line is forming for something, especially when you want to confirm before waiting a long time.
What does 排队吗？ (pái duì ma?) mean?
排队吗？ (pái duì ma?) means “is this the line” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “line up question?”
When to use it
Neutral and polite. It's a direct and practical question. If you want to be more specific, you can ask for what you're lining up for. People will usually confirm or point you to the correct line.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “PAI-dway mah.” The first syllable has a rising tone, the second a falling tone, and the “ma” is light and neutral.
Other ways to say it
- 请问，这里排队吗？qǐng wèn, zhèli pái duì ma?Excuse me, is this where we line up?
- 这是排队的地方吗？zhè shì pái duì de dìfang ma?Is this the place to line up?
- 要排队吗？yào pái duì ma?Do we need to line up?
Examples
请问，这里排队吗？
qǐng wèn, zhèli pái duì ma?
Excuse me, is this the line?
排队吗？我有点不确定。
pái duì ma? wǒ yǒudiǎn bù quèdìng.
Is this the line? I'm a bit unsure.
不用排队，直接进去就好。
búyòng pái duì, zhíjiē jìnqù jiù hǎo.
No need to line up, just go straight in.
Pro tip: Always ask to confirm if you're in the right place, as lines can form informally or for unexpected reasons. It can save you a lot of time.
Related phrases
帮我拍张照好吗？ · Could you take a photo for me有什么好玩的地方？ · What's worth seeing around here人真多 · So crowded
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