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侍候 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
侍候shìhòuto serveHSK 7, unknown, rank #29702, Very Hard
侍候shìhòuto wait uponHSK 7, unknown, rank #29702, Very Hard
shìhòu(shi4hou4) T4
  1. 1to serve
  2. 2to wait upon
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March 24, 2026
侍候()shìhòu(shi4hou4)

侍候 (shìhòu) means to serve or wait upon someone, typically in a context of providing assistance or care. It is often used in formal settings, such as in hospitality or when referring to someone taking care of another person, highlighting a respectful relationship.

Frequency#29702DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, serving others is seen as a virtue, reflecting values of respect and familial duty. The concept of侍候 can be observed in practices like filial piety, where children serve their elderly parents.

Memory Tip

Picture a servant (侍) holding a tray, standing ready to serve (候) a guest. The character 侍 looks like a person standing by, while 候 resembles a welcoming hand gesture, emphasizing readiness to assist.

Meanings of 侍候

shìhòu(shi4hou4)
1to serve
2to wait upon
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 侍候

侍候Simplified
Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 侍候

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Podcast: 侍候

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AI Study Notes for 侍候

Quick Contrast

照顾 (zhàogù) vs 侍候 (shìhòu): use 侍候 for more formal or respectful contexts, while 照顾 is more general and can imply personal care.

Memory Mnemonic

Picture a servant (侍) holding a tray, standing ready to serve (候) a guest. The character 侍 looks like a person standing by, while 候 resembles a welcoming hand gesture, emphasizing readiness to assist.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 侍候 with more casual terms for 'to help' or 'to assist,' as it implies a more formal or respectful service. It is commonly used in healthcare or hospitality contexts and can sound overly formal in everyday situations.

HSK Study Tips

This word is not included in the HSK vocabulary list but connects with HSK level 4 words related to service and assistance, such as 帮助 (bāngzhù - to help) and 服务 (fúwù - service). Focus on the nuances of formality when practicing usage.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, serving others is seen as a virtue, reflecting values of respect and familial duty. The concept of侍候 can be observed in practices like filial piety, where children serve their elderly parents.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 侍候 in casual conversations when a simpler word would suffice. For example, saying '我侍候你' (I serve you) to a friend sounds overly formal; '我帮你' (I help you) is more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 侍候

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Component Characters

shìto serve, to attend upon; servant, attendant; samurai
8 strokes
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hòuto wait
HSK 510 strokes
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Write 侍候

Practice writing 侍候 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 侍候

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, serving others is seen as a virtue, reflecting values of respect and familial duty. The concept of侍候 can be observed in practices like filial piety, where children serve their elderly parents.

Frequently Asked Questions about 侍候

It's typically used in formal contexts; for friends, you might choose a more casual verb like 帮助.