候 (hòu) — to wait (for), to await; to inquire after, to send regards to; to be a candidate (for a position); to wait for a vacancy

Definition

候 (hòu) is a formal/literary verb used mainly in set phrases like 候补 (be a candidate, wait for a vacancy) and 问候 (send regards to). In modern speech, 'wait' is usually 等.

verb
to wait (for)to awaitto inquire afterto send regards toto be a candidate (for a position)to wait for a vacancy
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Qǐng zài zhè lǐ děng hòu.
    Please wait here.
  • 。
    Tā ràng wǒ dài tā wèn hòu nǐ.
    He asked me to send his regards to you.
  • 。
    Tā zhèng zài hòu bǔ zhè ge zhí wèi.
    He is waiting to fill this position.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
矦
矦hóu候hòu
Same sound today

候 combines 亻, relating to people, with 矦, which gives the sound.

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