Meaning of 问候
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to give one's respects
- to send a greeting
- (fig.) (coll.) to make offensive reference to (somebody dear to the person to whom one is speaking)
How to use 问候
问候 is a fairly formal verb for sending greetings or regards, often to elders, teachers, or someone far away. It can also be a noun meaning greetings. Example: 请代我问候你的父母。(Qǐng dài wǒ wènhòu nǐ de fùmǔ.) Please give my regards to your parents.
问 (wèn) shows a mouth 口 at a door 门, asking a question. 候 (hòu) means to wait or inquire after someone, so 问候 is asking how someone is doing.
Common mistake: Learners often write 侯 (hóu, marquis) instead of 候 (hòu). 候 has an extra short vertical stroke in the middle, the same as in 时候 (shíhou). Also, 候 in 问候 keeps its full fourth tone, unlike the neutral tone in 时候.
问候 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
问 wèn · to ask · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
候 hòu · to wait · 10 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Related words
Words that share a character with 问候.
| 时候 | shíhou | time; length of time |
| 有时候 | yǒushíhou | sometimes |
| 请问 | qǐngwèn | Excuse me, may I ask...? |
| 问题 | wèntí | question; problem |
| 小时候 | xiǎoshíhou | in one's childhood |
| 这时候 | zhè shíhou | |
| 问路 | wènlù | to ask for directions; to ask the way (to some place) |
| 那时候 | nà shíhou | at that time |
| 访问 | fǎngwèn | to visit; to call on (a person or place); (computing) to visit (a website); to access (a n |
| 提问 | tíwèn | to question; to quiz; to grill |
| 气候 | qìhòu | (meteorology) climate; (fig.) climate; prevailing conditions (in human affairs) |
| 疑问 | yíwèn | question; interrogation |
Questions about 问候
What does 问候 mean?
问候 (wènhòu) means "to give one's respects; to send a greeting" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 问候?
问候 is made of 2 characters: 问 (6 strokes), 候 (10 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 问候 an HSK word?
Yes. 问候 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 问候 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 问候 is written 問候.
Why can 问候 sound rude in casual speech?
In slang, 问候你妈 or 问候你全家 is a sarcastic way to say someone insulted your family. So 问候 + a family member can carry this offensive meaning in casual online or spoken Chinese. In normal polite sentences like 代我问候他 it is perfectly respectful.
What is the difference between 问候 and 打招呼?
打招呼 (dǎ zhāohu) is the everyday act of saying hi when you meet someone. 问候 is more formal and often means asking after someone's wellbeing or sending regards, especially through another person or in writing.