About
The character "候" is a phono-semantic compound structured with the person radical "亻" on the left and the component "侯" on the right, where "侯" functions primarily as a phonetic marker while also echoing its standalone meaning of "marquis", subtly reflecting associations with status or targeted observation. Etymologically, it initially conveyed the act of observing or scouting, particularly in contexts like monitoring weather or celestial signs for changes. From this sense of vigilant watching, the meaning expanded to include "waiting", as in anticipating an arrival or event, and further evolved to denote a period of time or season, derived from the observation of natural cycles. Over centuries, its core meanings transitioned from active observation to the concepts of waiting and temporal divisions, as evidenced in modern usage such as in "气候" for climate and "等候" for to wait.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
请稍候一会儿。
时候不早了，我们走吧。
这里的气候很好。
他在等候公共汽车。
他是候选人之一。
请耐心等候通知。
气候的变化影响全球。
候选人正在准备竞选演讲。