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March 24, 2026
等候děnghòu(deng3hou4)
等候 (deng3 hou4) means to wait or to wait for something or someone. It is commonly used in contexts where patience is required, such as waiting for a bus, an appointment, or a response. This term conveys a sense of anticipation and can imply a formal or respectful tone in certain situations.
Strokes22Frequency#5277DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, waiting can often be viewed as a sign of respect, especially in formal situations, such as waiting for a superior or elder. This cultural nuance highlights the importance placed on patience and respect in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing by a gate (门) with a large hourglass (时) waiting for someone to arrive. The character 等 combines 'to wait' and 'to be at a certain place', while the 'hou' part suggests that time is passing as they wait. Visualizing this scene can help you remember the meaning and pronunciation.
Meanings of 等候
děnghòu(deng3hou4)
1to wait
2to wait for
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 等候
等候Simplified
22Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5277Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 等候
Podcast: 等候
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AI Study Notes for 等候
Quick Contrast
等待 (dengdài) implies a more active or intentional waiting, while 等候 (děnghòu) often suggests a more passive or formal context.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 等候 in more formal contexts, as it may sound overly polite in casual conversations. Common collocations include 等候时间 (waiting time) and 等候区 (waiting area). Also, ensure the tones are pronounced correctly, as mixing them could change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 等候 connects well with other advanced vocabulary related to time and patience, such as 等待 (deng3 dai4, to wait) and 期望 (qi1 wang4, to expect). Focus on using it in sentences that describe waiting scenarios to build fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 等候 with 等待, using them interchangeably in casual situations. For example, saying 我在等候朋友 (I am waiting for a friend) may sound too formal; instead, use 我在等待朋友 (I am waiting for a friend).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 等候
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等候 (deng3 hou4) means to wait or to wait for something or someone. It is commonly used in contexts where patience is required, such as waiting for a bus, an appointment, or a response. This term conveys a sense of anticipation and can imply a formal or respectful tone in certain situations.
When to use 等候
Be mindful of using 等候 in more formal contexts, as it may sound overly polite in casual conversations. Common collocations include 等候时间 (waiting time) and 等候区 (waiting area). Also, ensure the tones are pronounced correctly, as mixing them could change the meaning.
等候 or something close to it
等待 (dengdài) implies a more active or intentional waiting, while 等候 (děnghòu) often suggests a more passive or formal context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 等候 with 等待, using them interchangeably in casual situations. For example, saying 我在等候朋友 (I am waiting for a friend) may sound too formal; instead, use 我在等待朋友 (I am waiting for a friend).
Write 等候
等
候
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Grammar Patterns of 等候
等候 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
持枪歹徒不慌不忙地走开，坐上一辆____的汽车逃走了。
The gunmen calmly walked away and escaped in a waiting car.
Example Sentences for 等候 (10)
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1
持枪歹徒不慌不忙地走开，坐上一辆等候的汽车逃走了。
chí qiāng dǎi tú bù huāng bù máng dì zǒu kāi， ， zuò shàng yī liàng děng hòu de qì chē táo zǒu。
The gunmen calmly walked away and escaped in a waiting car.
