What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 问 (to ask) and 候 (to visit or attend to).
How do you pronounce it?
wènhòu
When do people say it?
While 问候 refers to the act of greeting, Chinese speakers have many specific ways to greet one another. For basic interaction, Nǐ hǎo (你好) is the most widely used version of "hello". Depending on the time of day, you might use Zǎo shàng hǎo (早上好) for "good morning" (before noon), Xià wǔ hǎo (下午好) for "good afternoon" (from 12 pm until 5 pm) or Wǎn shàng hǎo (晚上好) for "good evening". A more formal way to say "good noon" is Wǔ ān (午安). In casual settings, friends might greet each other with "Where are you going?" (Qù nǎr a? (去哪儿啊？)) or ask "Have you eaten?" (Nǐ chī le ma? (你吃了吗？)). To ask how someone is doing informally, you can use Nǐ hǎo ma? (你好吗？).
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, the physical gesture of koutou involved kneeling and bowing the head to the ground as the highest form of formal greeting.
- The concept of 'sending regards' via 问候 is often expressed through digital 'red envelopes' or short messages during the Lunar New Year, turning a verbal greeting into a ritualized gift.
- The concept of mianzi or 'face' dictates that the more socially powerful person usually initiates the greeting in a formal setting.
Examples in context
- 向您致以问候to extend greetings to you
- 他的问候非常正式。Tā de wènhòu fēicháng zhèngshì.His greetings are very formal.
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Haoran meet at a formal business conference.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然先生，向您致以问候。Hào rán xiān sheng, xiàng nín zhì yǐ wèn hòu.Mr. Haoran, my greetings to you.
- 浩然 Haoran谢谢晓雯女士，很高兴见到您。Xiè xie Xiǎo wén nǚ shì, hěn gāo xìng jiàn dào nín.Thank you Ms. Xiaowen, it is a pleasure to meet you.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen您最近工作顺利吗？Nín zuì jìn gōng zuò shùn lì ma?Has your work been going well lately?
- 浩然 Haoran非常顺利，谢谢您的关怀。Fēi cháng shùn lì, xiè xie nín de guān huái.Very smoothly, thank you for your concern.
