About
The character 伺 is a phono-semantic compound, with the radical 亻 (person) on the left providing the semantic category of human actions, and the component 司 on the right serving as the phonetic element while also adding a sense of management. Its primary historical meaning was to wait upon or serve someone of higher status. Over time, the meaning expanded to include watching or observing secretly, often carrying a slightly negative or cautious connotation in modern usage.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
妈妈在伺候奶奶吃饭。
他耐心地伺候着老人。
小猫伺机捕捉老鼠。
服务员伺机为客人添水。
她悉心伺候生病的丈夫。
投资者伺机进入市场。
他暗中伺察敌人的动向。
间谍伺机窃取机密文件。