Common Usage & Traps
- 时候 — time, moment
- 等候 — to wait
- 气候 — climate
-
候人等人候 is not used as a standalone verb for 'wait for people'; use 等.
-
什么候什么时候候 must be part of the fixed word 时候; it cannot replace 时.
候
Origin & Mnemonic:
To watch for, scout, or wait for the right moment or target. Time, season, weather, state; to wait for someone or something. A person (亻) beside a target (侯) watching and waiting for the right moment.
How do I avoid confusing 候 with 后?
候 has an extra vertical stroke and means 'wait' or 'time'; 后 means 'after' or 'behind'.
候 (hòu) is used in words like 时候 (time) and 等候 (wait). 后 (hòu) is used in words like 以后 (after) and 后面 (behind). They look similar but 候 has a small vertical stroke in the middle right part.
| Dimension | 候 | 后 |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | wait; time | after; behind |
| Common word | 时候 (time) | 以后 (after) |
| Stroke count | 10 | 6 |
Can I use 候 by itself to mean 'wait'?
No, 候 is almost always used in compound words like 等候 or 时候.
候 is a bound character in modern Mandarin. To say 'wait' alone, use 等 (děng). 候 appears in fixed combinations such as 等候 (wait) or 时候 (time).
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone verb | 等 (wait) | 候 (wait) |
| In compound | 等候 (wait) | 候 alone |
| Time word | 时候 (time) | 候 (time) |
Appears in Stories 5 stories
Read about a work trip to Beijing where a group of colleagues takes a very large airplane. Practice weather words and actions in a simple travel story.
-
到北京的 时候 ，北京正在下大雨。
-
我们下飞机的 时候 是白天，但是天气有一点儿冷。
This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.
-
今天白天的 时候 ，我去我家这边的超市买东西。
In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.
-
有的时候 ，老电影比现在的新电影有意思。
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
-
他也在中为公司工作，但是因为周一我来公司的 时候 ，他去上海了，所以我没有看见他。
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
-
天天都是 这个时候 。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
No questions or discussions yet. Have a question about this character/word? Be the first to ask!