Chinese word

等候

Pronunciation

Pinyinděng hòu

Meaning

  • verbwait

Example

等候在门口。děng hòu zài mén kǒu

Wait by the door.

Illustration for 等候 (wait)

More examples

山体滑坡后，受困者在原地等候救援。shān tǐ huá pō hòu shòu kùn zhě zài yuán dì děng hòu jiù yuán

After the landslide, those trapped wait for rescue where they are.

Core concept

A person remains in place, watching until someone or something arrives or a set time comes.

Common phrases

  • 等候救援děng hòu jiù yuán

    wait for rescue

  • 等候接送děng hòu jiē sòng

    wait for pickup

  • 等候批准děng hòu pī zhǔn

    wait for approval

Similar words

等待děng dài: Waiting patiently for a person to arrive, an event to happen, or a result to emerge.
等děng: Waiting for someone or something to arrive or happen.

Definition in Chinese

等候 在某处等待别人或事情到来，常含持续守候或等到特定时刻才行动的意思。děng hòu zài mǒu chù děng dài bié rén huò shì qíng dào lái cháng hán chí xù shǒu hòu huò děng dào tè dìng shí kè cái xíng dòng de yì si

Word origin

等 (děng, "wait") supplies the idea of waiting, while 候 (hòu, "watch for") adds the sense of staying alert for what is expected.

Usage tips

  • 等候 (děnghòu, "wait") often appears in signs, announcements, and service settings, where it sounds more formal and sustained than everyday waiting language.

Other meanings

  • wait forverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word