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Keywords: 等候, denghou, Chinese for wait, what does denghou mean, how to use 等候, formal waiting in Chinese, await in Chinese, difference between 等 and 等候, Chinese vocabulary, HSK 4 word
Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 等候 (děnghòu), the formal Chinese verb for “to wait” or “to await.” This guide explains how 等候 differs from the common word 等 (děng), its cultural significance in showing respect, and its practical use in official settings like airports, banks, and business. With clear examples and analysis, you'll understand when to use this important HSK 4 vocabulary word to sound more polite and context-aware in Chinese.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): děnghòu
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To wait for or await, typically in a formal, official, or respectful context.
In a Nutshell: While the basic word for “wait” in Chinese is 等 (děng), 等候 (děnghòu) is its more formal and polite counterpart. Think of the difference between “wait for” and “await” in English. You “wait for” a friend, but you “await” a verdict or the arrival of a dignitary. 等候 is used in public announcements, official procedures, and situations where showing patience and respect is important. It adds a layer of formality and seriousness to the act of waiting.
Character Breakdown
等 (děng): This character's original meaning relates to bamboo slips of equal length, leading to the concept of “equal” or “rank.” By extension, it means “to wait,” as in waiting for time or events to align.
候 (hòu): This character is composed of the “person” radical (亻) on the left and a phonetic component. It originally meant to observe, scout, or inquire after. This act of observing for something to happen gives it the meaning of “to wait” or “to expect.”
Combining 等 (to wait) and 候 (to wait/expect) creates a more formal, two-syllable word that reinforces the act of waiting, imbuing it with a sense of official procedure and patient expectation.
Cultural Context and Significance
The use of 等候 (děnghòu) is a subtle but important reflection of formality and hierarchy in Chinese culture. Choosing this word over the more common 等 (děng) is a way of showing respect for a process, an institution, or a person of higher status.
For instance, in a bank or a government office, signs will use 等候 to instruct people. This is not just a direct command but a way of framing the waiting process as an official, orderly procedure that everyone must respectfully follow. It reinforces a sense of social order and harmony.
A useful comparison in Western culture is the difference in language used in a casual cafe versus a Michelin-starred restaurant. In a cafe, you might hear, “Your table will be ready in a minute, just wait here.” In a fine-dining establishment, it's more likely to be, “We are preparing your table, would you be kind enough to await us in the lounge?” 等候 carries that second, more formal and respectful, connotation. It's a linguistic tool for navigating social contexts appropriately.
Practical Usage in Modern China
等候 is most frequently encountered in specific, structured environments. You will hear and see it far more often than you will need to say it as a beginner, but recognizing it is crucial.
Public and Official Spaces: This is the most common context. Airports, train stations, hospitals, banks, and government service centers will use 等候 on signs and in announcements. The term for a waiting room is often 候车室 (hòuchēshì) or 候诊室 (hòuzhěnshì), using the same character.
Formal Business and Service: In business correspondence or high-end service industries, staff might use 等候 to sound more professional and polite. For example, a receptionist might say, “王经理正在开会，请您稍作等候。(Manager Wang is in a meeting, please wait a moment).”
Written Formal Chinese: It appears frequently in formal notices, official letters, and literature.
Connotation: The connotation is neutral and formal. It simply indicates that the context requires a higher level of politeness and adherence to procedure.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
请各位旅客在三号登机口等候。
Pinyin: Qǐng gèwèi lǚkè zài sān hào dēngjīkǒu děnghòu.
English: Will all passengers please wait at boarding gate number 3.
Analysis: A classic example of an airport announcement. The context is public, official, and directed at a large group of people, making 等候 the perfect choice.
Example 2:
感谢您的耐心等候，我们正在为您查询。
Pinyin: Gǎnxiè nín de nàixīn děnghòu, wǒmen zhèngzài wèi nín cháxún.
English: Thank you for your patient waiting, we are currently looking that up for you.
Analysis: Common in customer service calls. Here, 等候 is used as a formal noun (“waiting”). Using the polite “you” (您 nín) alongside 等候 enhances the respectful tone.
Example 3:
我们一直在等候您的到来。
Pinyin: Wǒmen yīzhí zài děnghòu nínde dàolái.
English: We have been awaiting your arrival.
Analysis: This is a very polite and formal way to greet an important guest. It conveys that their arrival was anticipated and is a significant event.
Example 4:
他正在焦急地等候面试结果。
Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài jiāojí de děnghòu miànshì jiéguǒ.
English: He is anxiously awaiting the interview results.
Analysis: This shows that 等候 can be used for significant personal events, not just public procedures. The “waiting” is for something formal and life-changing, like exam or interview results.
Example 5:
请在黄线外等候。
Pinyin: Qǐng zài huáng xiàn wài děnghòu.
English: Please wait outside the yellow line.
Analysis: A very common sign seen in banks, post offices, and subway stations. It is a polite but firm instruction in an official setting.
Example 6:
士兵们列队等候将军的命令。
Pinyin: Shìbīngmen lièduì děnghòu jiāngjūn de mìnglìng.
English: The soldiers lined up, awaiting the general's command.
Analysis: This example highlights the use of 等候 in a hierarchical context (military). It implies readiness and respect for authority.
Example 7:
法官宣判前，法庭里的人们都在静静地等候。
Pinyin: Fǎguān xuānpàn qián, fǎtíng lǐ de rénmen dōu zài jìngjìng de děnghòu.
English: Before the judge announced the verdict, everyone in the courtroom was waiting silently.
Analysis: The courtroom is a highly formal environment where “awaiting” a verdict is the most appropriate description. 等候 captures this solemn and formal atmosphere.
Example 8:
这家热门餐厅不接受预订，我们只能在门口等候。
Pinyin: Zhè jiā rèmén cāntīng bù jiēshòu yùdìng, wǒmen zhǐ néng zài ménkǒu děnghòu.
English: This popular restaurant doesn't take reservations, so we can only wait at the entrance.
Analysis: While waiting for a restaurant is common, using 等候 here frames it as following the restaurant's formal procedure, rather than just casually waiting for friends. It's a slightly more formal way to describe the situation.
Example 9:
公司正在等候政府的最终批复。
Pinyin: Gōngsī zhèngzài děnghòu zhèngfǔ de zuìzhōng pīfù.
English: The company is awaiting the government's final approval.
Analysis: This is a typical use case in a business or legal context. The waiting is for an official decision from a higher authority.
Example 10:
请您稍作等候，医生马上就来。
Pinyin: Qǐng nín shāo zuò děnghòu, yīshēng mǎshàng jiù lái.
English: Please wait a moment, the doctor will be here right away.
Analysis: A nurse or receptionist in a hospital would use this phrase. It's polite, professional, and fits the formal context of a medical facility.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The most common mistake for learners is using 等候 in casual, everyday situations. It can sound stiff, overly formal, or even sarcastic if used incorrectly.
Key Difference: 等 (děng) vs. 等候 (děnghòu)
等 (děng): Use this 95% of the time in daily conversation. It's the all-purpose, neutral word for “wait.”
等候 (děnghòu): Reserve this for formal, official, or very polite contexts. Think of signs, announcements, and customer service.
Example of Incorrect Usage:
Incorrect: 嘿，你等候我一下，我穿上鞋就走！ (Hēi, nǐ děnghòu wǒ yīxià, wǒ chuānshàng xié jiù zǒu!)
Why it's wrong: This sounds very strange and unnatural between friends. It's like saying, “Hey, please await me for a moment while I put on my shoes!” The situation is highly informal.
Correct: 嘿，你等我一下，我穿上鞋就走！ (Hēi, nǐ děng wǒ yīxià, wǒ chuānshàng xié jiù zǒu!)
Think of it as a register issue. Using 等候 with friends is like wearing a tuxedo to a barbecue—it's grammatically correct but socially awkward.
等 (děng) - The general, informal, and most common word for “to wait.” The direct counterpart to 等候.
等待 (děngdài) - “To wait for.” More formal than 等 but more general than 等候. It often emphasizes the duration or the emotional state of waiting.
期盼 (qīpàn) - To look forward to; to await eagerly. This implies hope and positive anticipation, not just passive waiting.
守候 (shǒuhòu) - To keep watch and wait for. This has a strong connotation of guarding, protecting, and waiting steadfastly, often for a long time (e.g., waiting by a sick person's bedside).
排队 (páiduì) - To queue up, to stand in line. A specific physical action associated with waiting.
候车室 (hòuchēshì) - A waiting room (for a bus or train). A direct application of the character 候.
候机厅 (hòujītīng) - An airport departure lounge/waiting hall.
稍等 (shāo děng) - “Wait a moment.” A very common and polite phrase using the character 等. It's the spoken equivalent of what 等候 often conveys in writing.