The word "恭候" (gōng hòu) is a compound verb formed through semantic combination, where each character contributes to a nuanced, polite meaning. The first character, "恭" (gōng), carries the core meaning of "respectful" or "reverent," establishing the tone of the action. The second character, "候" (hòu), means "to wait" or "to await." When combined, they create a formal and humble expression that translates not merely as "to wait," but specifically as "to respectfully await" or "to cordially wait for," typically used by a host to politely indicate they are waiting for a guest or by a subordinate to show deference.