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March 24, 2026
候hòu(hou4)
The character 候 (hòu) primarily means 'to wait' or 'to inquire after.' It can also refer to observing or watching, as well as describe seasons or climate. In certain historical contexts, it denotes a period of five days, showcasing its versatility in different usages.
Strokes10Radical亻Frequency#9517DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of waiting is significant in social interactions, reflecting patience and respect. The term 候 is often used in contexts of greetings, showing the importance of inquiring about someone's well-being.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'house' (the radical 候 resembles a roof) where you 'wait' for a friend. Picture sitting patiently under that roof, watching the seasons change outside, reminding you of the character's meanings tied to waiting and observing.
Meanings of 候
hòu(hou4)
1to wait
2to inquire after
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 候
候Simplified
10Strokes
亻Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9517Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 候
Podcast: 候
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AI Study Notes for 候
Quick Contrast
候 (hòu) vs 等 (děng) — use 候 when referring to a specific context of waiting or observing, while 等 implies a more general sense of waiting.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'house' (the radical 候 resembles a roof) where you 'wait' for a friend. Picture sitting patiently under that roof, watching the seasons change outside, reminding you of the character's meanings tied to waiting and observing.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 候 with similar characters like 等 (děng), which also means 'to wait' but in different contexts. 候 is more formal and often used in written language, while 等 is casual. Remember to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing hòu can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Though 候 is not included in the HSK word lists, it connects with other verbs about waiting and observing, such as 等 (děng) and 看 (kàn). Focus on how it can modify nouns related to time and seasons to expand your vocabulary.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of waiting is significant in social interactions, reflecting patience and respect. The term 候 is often used in contexts of greetings, showing the importance of inquiring about someone's well-being.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 候 with 等 (děng) and use them interchangeably, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我等你' (I wait for you) is correct, but using '我候你' is not standard Chinese.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 候
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Grammar Patterns of 候
候 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
wǒ jù jué jiē shòu bāng zhù de shí hòu shí cháng xiǎn dé cū lǔ wú lǐ。
I was often rude and ungracious in refusing help.
3
今晚我做完的时候刚过7点。
jīn wǎn wǒ zuò wán de shí hòu gāng guò7 7。
It was just gone 7 o'clock this evening when I finished.
4
兰德尔这个时候应该正在拿周日的报纸。
lán dé ěr zhè gè shí hòu yīng gāi zhèng zài ná zhōu rì de bào zhǐ。
Randall would just now be getting the Sunday paper.
5
这部影片的票房收入开始的时候持续上涨，但是后来急剧下降。
zhè bù yǐng piàn de piào fáng shōu rù kāi shǐ de shí hòu chí xù shàng zhǎng， ， dàn shì hòu lái jí jù xià。
The film opened to healthy box office receipts before rapidly falling off.
6
埋头工作的时候，你是否忽视了自己的婚姻？
mái tóu gōng zuò de shí hòu， ， nǐ shì fǒu hū shì le zì jǐ de hūn？
While slogging at work, have you neglected your marriage?
7
你真该看看他谈到家的时候眼睛放光的模样。
nǐ zhēn gāi kàn kàn tā tán dào jiā de shí hòu yǎn jīng fàng guāng de mó yàng。
You should see his eyes light up when he talks about home.
8
他们在室外的时候，你不担心吗？
tā mén zài shì wài de shí hòu， ， nǐ bù dān xīn？
Don't you worry about them when they're out of doors?
9
无论你什么时候需要，都可以自由穿过我们的领地。
wú lùn nǐ shí mó shí hòu xū yào， ， dū kě yǐ zì yóu chuān guò wǒ mén de lǐng。
You may have free passage across our territory whenever you require it.
10
你上次和他调情或挑逗他是什么时候？
nǐ shàng cì hé tā tiáo qíng huò tiāo dòu tā shì shí mó shí hòu？
When did you last flirt with him or tease him?
Cultural Notes for 候
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of waiting is significant in social interactions, reflecting patience and respect. The term 候 is often used in contexts of greetings, showing the importance of inquiring about someone's well-being.
Word Family of 候
Words Containing This Character20
时候shíhoutime時候
有时候sometimes有時候
小时候xiǎoshíhouin one's childhood小時候
气候qìhòuclimate氣候
候hòuto wait
候选人hòuxuǎnréncandidate候選人
问候wènhòuto give one's respects問候
等候děnghòuto wait
到时候at that time到時候
守候shǒuhòuto wait for
有的时候sometimes有的時候
伺候cìhouto serve
候选hòuxuǎncandidate (attributive)候選
全天候all-weather
候补alternate候補
火候huǒhouheat control
恭候to look forward to sth
候车室waiting room (for train, bus etc)候車室
侍候shìhòuto serve
取保候审release from custody, subject to provision of a surety, pending investigation (PRC)取保候審
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 时候 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 候
You can use 候 in a sentence like, '我在这儿候你' (I am waiting for you here).
Yes, but it is more common in written texts, formal speeches, or when discussing weather.
Besides 'to wait,' 候 can refer to seasons and climate, so it can be used in weather-related discussions.
