Understanding "等候" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 等候
• Pinyin: děnghòu
• Literal Meaning: “wait and wait” / “await”
• Primary Meaning: to wait for someone or something, especially in a more formal, polite, or written context

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

等候 means to wait or to await, but it sounds more formal than the simpler word 等. English speakers can think of it as a word used in situations like:

• official announcements
• signs and notices
• customer service language
• written Chinese
• polite or formal speech

It is often used when someone is waiting for:
- a person
- a bus, train, or other transport
- instructions or further information
- a result or decision

Nuance

Compared with 等, 等候 feels:
- more polite
- more formal
- more literary or written

For everyday conversation, Chinese speakers often just say 等.
For example:
- 我在等你。 = I’m waiting for you.
- 请稍候。 = Please wait a moment.

But 等候 is common in more serious or official contexts:
- 等候通知 = awaiting notice
- 等候登机 = waiting to board
- 等候处理 = awaiting processing

Character Breakdown

等候 is made of two characters:

• 等 = to wait, to equal, a category/class
• 候 = to wait, to inquire, to observe

Together, 等候 literally emphasizes the act of waiting.
The meaning is very close to 等待, another common word for “to wait.”

A useful comparison:
- 等 = casual, everyday “wait”
- 等待 = neutral and common “to wait”
- 等候 = more formal “to wait / await”

3. Example Sentences

1

• Chinese: 请在门口等候。
• Pinyin: Qǐng zài ménkǒu děnghòu.
• English: Please wait at the entrance.

2

• Chinese: 乘客请等候登机通知。
• Pinyin: Chéngkè qǐng děnghòu dēngjī tōngzhī.
• English: Passengers, please wait for the boarding announcement.

3

• Chinese: 我们正在等候您的回复。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen zhèngzài děnghòu nín de huífù.
• English: We are waiting for your reply.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese, 等候 is often heard in polite public language. You may see it in:
- airports
- train stations
- hospitals
- banks
- business emails
- official notices

Because it sounds respectful and formal, it is a good word to know for reading signs and announcements, even if native speakers use 等 more often in daily conversation.

Conclusion

等候 (děnghòu) means to wait in a more formal and polite way. It is especially useful in written Chinese, public notices, and official situations. If you remember that 等候 sounds more formal than 等, you will use it correctly and naturally.