候 Stroke Order — How to Write 候

Stroke Order

候 is written in 10 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 亻, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

候 Radical and Character Components

Components:亻矦

候 is a phono-semantic compound: 亻 (person) carries the meaning, while 矦 indicates the sound.

Radical: 亻 + 8 more strokes

候 Pronunciation and Pinyin

hòu

Meanings of 候 in Chinese

hòu候

To wait; to expect; to attend

请您在候车室等候，车辆马上就到。

Please wait in the waiting room, the vehicle will arrive shortly.

to visit, to inquire after someone's health or well-being; to wait upon, to serve

我去看望生病的奶奶，并向她问候。

I went to visit my sick grandma and inquired after her.

Refers to a season or climate; also used to describe migratory animals or insects specific to a season.

每年秋天，这些候鸟都会飞往南方过冬。

Every autumn, these migratory birds fly south for the winter.

The state or condition of things in a process of change, often referring to a critical stage or duration, such as 'huǒhòur' (cooking duration/heat) or 'zhēnghòu' (symptom).

这道菜的火候掌握得刚刚好，味道真棒！

The cooking time for this dish was perfectly controlled; it tastes truly wonderful!

In ancient China, 'hòu' referred to a period of five days. This term is still used in meteorology, for example, in 'hòuwēn' (average temperature over five days).

本月的第二候，气温明显升高，预示着夏季的到来

In the second five-day period of this month, the temperature rose significantly, signaling the arrival of summer.

Common Words and Phrases with 候

hòu候bǔ补

To be an alternate or a backup candidate, waiting for a vacancy.

他是一名候补队员，随时准备上场。

He is an alternate player, ready to play at any time.

hòu候chǎng场

waiting to go on stage or waiting backstage to perform

小演员们在后台候场，紧张而兴奋地等待着上台表演。

The young actors were waiting backstage, nervous and excited to go on stage to perform.

hòu候chē车shì室

A waiting room, typically found in a bus or railway station, where passengers wait for their transport.

我在候车室里看了一会儿书，然后登上了去目的地的火车。

I read a book for a while in the waiting room, and then boarded the train to my destination.

hòu候fēng风dì地dòng动yí仪

An ancient Chinese seismograph invented by Zhang Heng in the Eastern Han Dynasty to detect earthquakes.

张衡发明的候风地动仪展现了古代中国在科学领域的卓越智慧

The Houfeng Didongyi, invented by Zhang Heng, showcased the remarkable scientific ingenuity of ancient China.

hòu候niǎo鸟

A bird that migrates seasonally.

每年秋天，成群的候鸟都会飞往温暖的南方过冬。

Every autumn, flocks of migratory birds fly to the warm south for winter.

hòu候quē缺

To await a vacancy, especially for an official position.

张经理在公司里候缺已久，大家都知道他迟早会升任部门总监。

Manager Zhang has been awaiting a vacant position in the company for a long time; everyone knows he will eventually be promoted to departmental director.

hòu候shěn审

await trial