Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 候 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 矦 represents the sound.
1The meaning half亻 carries the sense.
2The sound half矦 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayperson
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 候? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 候?
Decomposition of 候
IDS Structure⿰亻矦
候Full Character
=
亻ren2
left
矦hou2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 候?
How to say to wait in Chinese
“to wait” in Chinese is候hòu
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.
When to use 候
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.
候 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 候
候
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 候 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
