伺候
cì hou HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

护士耐心地伺候病人。
Hùshi nàixīn de cìhòu bìngrén.
The nurse patiently attends to the patient.
他每天伺候年迈的父母。
Tā měitiān cìhòu niánmài de fùmǔ.
He waits upon his elderly parents every day.
服务员热情地伺候顾客。
Fúwùyuán rèqíng de cìhòu gùkè.
The waiter enthusiastically serves the customers.
我伺候病人。
Wǒ cìhòu bìngrén.
I serve patients.
她伺候老人。
Tā cìhòu lǎorén.
She attends to the elderly.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 伺候 as 'see how'—imagine having to 'see how' someone wants things done and serve them accordingly, especially if they're picky. The pinyin 'cìhou' sounds a bit like 'see to' in English, as in 'see to someone's needs.'

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. It often appears in contexts involving personal service, such as caring for family members (e.g., elderly or sick relatives), working in hospitality, or dealing with clients. It can have a slightly negative connotation when referring to someone who is hard to please.

📖 Grammar Points

伺候 is a transitive verb that typically takes an object (e.g., 伺候客户). It can be used in various tenses with aspect particles like 了 (le) or 过 (guo). In negative sentences, use 不 or 没 (e.g., 我不伺候他).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In traditional Chinese culture, 伺候 reflects hierarchical social relationships, such as in families or service roles, where respect and obedience are emphasized. It can imply a duty-bound or obligatory aspect of service, which may carry subtle cultural expectations about deference.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 服务 (fúwù, to serve, more general and professional, like in business), 伺候 focuses more on personal, attentive care, sometimes with a hierarchical or subservient tone. 照顾 (zhàogù, to look after) is broader and more neutral, often implying care out of affection or duty, without the same connotation of subservience.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 伺候 in CILI →

Related Words