The word 等候 is formed by combining two characters that each contribute related meanings about waiting. 等 primarily conveys the idea of pausing or staying in one place for a period, while 候 carries the sense of anticipating, serving, or awaiting an arrival or event. Together, they merge into a single concept that emphasizes both the state of staying put and the active expectation of something forthcoming, creating a nuanced term for waiting that implies both patience and purposeful anticipation.