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March 24, 2026
伺cì(ci4)
The character 伺 (cì) primarily means to watch or wait upon someone or something. It is often used in contexts where one is serving, attending, or observing closely. This character can imply a sense of attentiveness or vigilance in various situations.
Strokes7Radical亻Frequency#38196DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the act of serving and attending to others is highly valued, reflecting Confucian principles of respect and duty. The use of 伺 often appears in contexts involving hospitality or serving officials.
Memory Tip
Imagine a servant (the radical 亻, representing a person) who is patiently waiting to serve a noble at a banquet, listening attentively for instructions. The sound 'cì' can be remembered as 'see', as in, 'I see you waiting to serve.'
Meanings of 伺
cì(ci4)
primary
1to wait on
2to watch
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 伺
伺Simplified
7Strokes
亻Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#38196Frequency Rank
Podcast: 伺
Podcast: 伺
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AI Study Notes for 伺
Quick Contrast
侍 (shì) - choose 伺 (cì) when emphasizing the act of watching or waiting upon, rather than the role of serving.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a servant (the radical 亻, representing a person) who is patiently waiting to serve a noble at a banquet, listening attentively for instructions. The sound 'cì' can be remembered as 'see', as in, 'I see you waiting to serve.'
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 伺 with similar-sounding words, such as 'ci' in 'ci' (次, meaning 'next'). This character tends to be more formal and is often used in written contexts rather than in casual conversation. Be careful not to use it when simply saying 'to wait' in a casual sense, as it carries a more respectful connotation.
HSK Study Tips
While 伺 is not currently included in HSK levels, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to service and observation. Students should focus on its nuances in terms of formality and context, as well as its connection to other service-related terms like 服务 (fúwù, to serve).
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, the act of serving and attending to others is highly valued, reflecting Confucian principles of respect and duty. The use of 伺 often appears in contexts involving hospitality or serving officials.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 伺 with similar characters like 视 (shì, to look or see). For example, saying '我伺电视' (wǒ cì diànshì, I watch TV) is incorrect; the correct term is '我看电视' (wǒ kàn diànshì).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 伺
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Grammar Patterns of 伺
伺 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
tā yóu chuān zháo huá lì zhì fú、 、 tóu dài pū fěn jiǎ fā de pū rén mén sì hòu。
She was attended by servants in splendid livery and powdered wigs.
Cultural Notes for 伺
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, the act of serving and attending to others is highly valued, reflecting Confucian principles of respect and duty. The use of 伺 often appears in contexts involving hospitality or serving officials.
Word Family of 伺
Words Containing This Character7
伺候cìhouto serve
伺机sìjīto wait for an opportunity伺機
伺cìto wait on
伺服computer server
窥伺to spy upon窺伺
伺隙to wait for the opportunity
观衅伺隙to look for the Achilles' heel觀釁伺隙
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 伺候 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 伺
伺 (cì) has a connotation of waiting attentively or serving, while 等 (děng) simply means 'to wait' without the same level of formality.
It's more commonly used in formal writing or speech, so in casual conversations, using 等 (děng) might be more appropriate.
Not necessarily; it implies attentiveness rather than urgency, as it focuses on the act of waiting or serving.
