shǒuhòu: 守候 - To Wait For, To Keep Watch, To Stand By

• Keywords: shouhou meaning, 守候 meaning, 守候 vs 等待, Chinese word for waiting, keep watch in Chinese, shǒuhòu, stand by, patient waiting, emotional waiting Chinese
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 守候 (shǒuhòu), a Chinese word that elevates “waiting” to an act of devotion and patience. Unlike the common word 等待 (děngdài), 守候 (shǒuhòu) implies keeping a heartfelt, protective watch, often for someone or something deeply important. This guide breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage with over 10 example sentences, helping you grasp when to use this beautiful and emotionally rich term.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shǒuhòu
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5 / Advanced
• Concise Definition: To wait for or keep watch over someone or something with patience and care.
• In a Nutshell: 守候 (shǒuhòu) is not just “to wait”; it's “to wait and guard.” It carries a heavy emotional weight, suggesting loyalty, patience, protection, and deep affection. Think of a mother waiting up for her child to come home, a loyal dog waiting for its owner, or a nurse attentively watching over a patient. It’s an active, heartfelt vigil, not a passive passing of time.

• 守 (shǒu): This character originally depicted a hand (寸) by a house or building (宀), meaning “to guard,” “to protect,” or “to keep.” It implies a sense of duty and defense.
• 候 (hòu): This character combines the “person” radical (亻) with a phonetic component. It means “to wait,” “to await,” or “to inquire after.” It focuses on the act of expecting someone or something's arrival.

When combined, 守候 (shǒuhòu) literally means “to guard and wait.” This fusion creates a powerful concept: waiting with a protective, steadfast, and patient heart. You are not just waiting for them to arrive; you are holding a space for them, watching over them in spirit, and patiently enduring their absence.

In Chinese culture, endurance and long-term commitment are highly valued virtues. 守候 (shǒuhòu) beautifully encapsulates this idea. It reflects a deep sense of loyalty (忠诚, zhōngchéng) and responsibility that is central to familial and romantic relationships. A great way to understand 守候 (shǒuhòu) is to contrast it with the Western concept of “waiting for.” In English, “waiting” is often a neutral, sometimes frustrating, activity. You “wait for” a bus, “wait for” a meeting to start, or “wait in line.” These are largely impersonal. 守候 (shǒuhòu), however, is almost always personal and emotional. It's the silent, unwavering support demonstrated through one's presence, even if that presence is just waiting. It’s the action that proves deep love, friendship, or duty without needing words. It's the feeling behind the classic Chinese stories of wives waiting years for their husbands to return from war, or scholars waiting patiently for the right moment to serve their country. It is an act of quiet, profound love.

While it has a poetic and literary feel, 守候 (shǒuhòu) is still very much used in modern life, especially to express deep emotions.

• In Relationships: It's frequently used in romantic contexts, in song lyrics, poetry, and heartfelt conversations to describe waiting for a loved one. It implies devotion and unwavering loyalty.
• In Family Life: A parent might 守候 their sick child's bedside, or a family might 守候 at the airport for a relative they haven't seen in years. It conveys immense care and love.
• Figuratively: It can be used metaphorically to mean waiting patiently for an opportunity, a dream to be realized, or a positive change. For example, an artist might 守候 for inspiration.
• Formality: It is more formal and emotionally charged than the everyday word for “wait,” 等待 (děngdài). Using it in a casual context would sound overly dramatic.

• Example 1:
• 母亲在门口守候着晚归的孩子。
• Pinyin: Mǔqīn zài ménkǒu shǒuhòu zhe wǎn guī de háizi.
• English: The mother was waiting at the door for her child who was returning late.
• Analysis: This is a classic example. The use of 守候 instead of 等 (děng) shows the mother's love, concern, and protective feeling. She isn't just passing time; she's keeping a loving vigil.
• Example 2:
• 忠诚的狗狗每天都在车站守候它的主人。
• Pinyin: Zhōngchéng de gǒugou měitiān dōu zài chēzhàn shǒuhòu tā de zhǔrén.
• English: The loyal dog waits for its owner at the station every day.
• Analysis: This perfectly captures the devoted, patient, and unwavering nature of 守候. The dog isn't just waiting; it's on duty, faithfully awaiting its master.
• Example 3:
• 医生和护士彻夜守候在重病患者的床边。
• Pinyin: Yīshēng hé hùshì chèyè shǒuhòu zài zhòngbìng huànzhě de chuángbiān.
• English: The doctors and nurses kept watch by the critically ill patient's bedside all night.
• Analysis: Here, 守候 highlights the sense of professional duty, care, and vigilance. They are actively monitoring and protecting the patient.
• Example 4:
• 我会一直在这里守候，直到你回来。
• Pinyin: Wǒ huì yīzhí zài zhèlǐ shǒuhòu, zhídào nǐ huílái.
• English: I will always be here waiting for you, until you come back.
• Analysis: This is a very romantic and powerful promise. It implies unwavering loyalty and a deep emotional commitment.
• Example 5:
• 许多摄影师在山顶守候日出的壮丽景色。
• Pinyin: Xǔduō shèyǐngshī zài shāndǐng shǒuhòu rìchū de zhuànglì jǐngsè.
• English: Many photographers wait on the mountaintop for the magnificent view of the sunrise.
• Analysis: This shows a more figurative use. The waiting is patient, dedicated, and for something beautiful and significant. It's more than just “waiting”; it's an anticipatory vigil.
• Example 6:
• 他在人生的低谷中，默默守候着一个机会。
• Pinyin: Tā zài rénshēng de dīgǔ zhōng, mòmò shǒuhòu zhe yīgè jīhuì.
• English: At a low point in his life, he quietly waited for an opportunity.
• Analysis: This metaphorical usage emphasizes patience and hope during a difficult time. He isn't just idle; he's watchfully and hopefully awaiting a chance to turn things around.
• Example 7:
• 歌迷们在演唱会场外守候了好几个小时，只为见偶像一面。
• Pinyin: Gēmímen zài yǎnchànghuì chǎng wài shǒuhòu le hǎojǐ gè xiǎoshí, zhǐ wèi jiàn ǒuxiàng yīmiàn.
• English: The fans waited outside the concert venue for hours, just to get a glimpse of their idol.
• Analysis: This conveys the fans' devotion and dedication. Their waiting is an act of love and support for their idol.
• Example 8:
• 边防战士不分昼夜地守候着祖国的边疆。
• Pinyin: Biānfáng zhànshì bùfēn zhòuyè de shǒuhòu zhe zǔguó de biānjiāng.
• English: The border guards keep watch over the country's frontiers day and night.
• Analysis: Here, the “guarding” aspect of 守候 is very prominent. It speaks of duty, protection, and unwavering vigilance.
• Example 9:
• 就像农民守候庄稼的成熟，我们也需要耐心守候梦想的实现。
• Pinyin: Jiù xiàng nóngmín shǒuhòu zhuāngjià de chéngshú, wǒmen yě xūyào nàixīn shǒuhòu mèngxiǎng de shíxiàn.
• English: Just as farmers watch over their crops until they are ripe, we also need to patiently wait for our dreams to be realized.
• Analysis: A beautiful analogy that highlights the long-term, caring, and patient nature of 守候. It's about nurturing something until it comes to fruition.
• Example 10:
• 在漫长的黑夜里，我守候着黎明的到来。
• Pinyin: Zài màncháng de hēiyè lǐ, wǒ shǒuhòu zhe límíng de dàolái.
• English: In the long, dark night, I kept watch for the arrival of dawn.
• Analysis: A highly poetic and literary sentence. “Night” represents hardship or sadness, while “dawn” represents hope. 守候 here means to endure and wait with faith that things will get better.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 守候 (shǒuhòu) with 等待 (děngdài).

• 等待 (děngdài): This is the neutral, all-purpose word for “to wait.” It describes the simple act of passing time until something happens. It carries little to no emotional weight.
  • Correct: 我在等公共汽车。(Wǒ zài děng gōnggòng qìchē.) - I am waiting for the bus.
  • Correct: 请您等待一会儿。(Qǐng nín děngdài yīhuǐ'er.) - Please wait a moment.
• 守候 (shǒuhòu): This is an emotional, devoted, and patient “waiting.” It implies you are waiting for something or someone very important to you, often with a sense of care and protection.

Common Mistake Example:

• Incorrect: 我在咖啡馆守候我的朋友。 (Wǒ zài kāfēiguǎn shǒuhòu wǒ de péngyǒu.)
• Why it's wrong: Unless your friend is emerging from a perilous situation and you're waiting with deep anxiety and love, this sounds overly dramatic. It's like saying “I am keeping a loving vigil for my friend at the cafe.” The correct, normal way to say this is:
• Correct: 我在咖啡馆等我的朋友。(Wǒ zài kāfēiguǎn děng wǒ de péngyǒu.)

Think of it this way: You 等待 (děngdài) a bus, but you 守候 (shǒuhòu) a loved one's return.

• 等待 (děngdài) - The common, neutral word for “to wait.” The most important term to contrast with 守候.
• 等候 (děnghòu) - A slightly more formal version of 等待, often used in service contexts or public announcements (e.g., “请在此等候” - Please wait here).
• 守护 (shǒuhù) - To guard, to protect. This term emphasizes the protection aspect more than the waiting aspect. You 守护 your family, your country, or your ideals.
• 守望 (shǒuwàng) - To keep watch, to look out for. Often used for a community watching out for each other (守望相助, shǒuwàng xiāngzhù) or guarding a place.
• 期盼 (qīpàn) - To look forward to, to anticipate eagerly. This focuses on the feeling of hopeful expectation, whereas 守候 focuses on the patient act of waiting itself.
• 看守 (kānshǒu) - To guard, to watch over, usually in a professional capacity like a security guard or prison guard. It lacks the emotional warmth of 守候.
• 盼望 (pànwàng) - To hope for, to long for. Similar to 期盼, it's about the feeling of looking forward to something.