wènhòu: 问候 - To Greet, To Send Regards

• Keywords: wenhou, 问候, Chinese greetings, how to greet in Chinese, send regards in Chinese, wenhou meaning, Chinese social etiquette, formal greetings in Mandarin, 问候 vs 你好
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 问候 (wènhòu), a fundamental Chinese term for “to greet” or “send regards.” This page explores how `wènhòu` is more than a simple “hello”; it's a culturally rich expression of respect, care, and relationship-building in Chinese social etiquette. Discover how to use it in formal situations, when sending regards to family, and understand its difference from casual greetings like `你好`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wènhòu
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To greet someone or to send one's regards/greetings.
• In a Nutshell: `问候` is a warm, respectful way of greeting someone, especially if you haven't seen them in a while, or if they are an elder, teacher, or superior. It's not just a quick salutation; it's an act of actively inquiring about someone's well-being. Think of it as combining “hello” with a sincere “I hope you are doing well.”

• 问 (wèn): This character is a pictograph of a mouth `口 (kǒu)` at a door `门 (mén)`. Imagine someone knocking on a door and calling out to ask a question. Its primary meaning is “to ask” or “to inquire.”
• 候 (hòu): This character combines the “person” radical `亻(rén)` with `侯`, a phonetic component that originally meant an archer's target. Its core meaning is “to wait for” or “to inquire after (someone's health).”
• Together, 问候 (wènhòu) literally means “to ask after.” The two characters reinforce each other, creating a term that signifies a deliberate and caring inquiry into another person's state, which is the essence of a heartfelt greeting.

In Chinese culture, maintaining harmonious relationships (`关系 - guānxi`) and showing proper respect are paramount. The term `问候` is a key tool for achieving this. Compared to the standard Western greeting “How are you?”, which can often be a rhetorical pleasantry expecting a simple “Fine, thanks,” a `问候` is generally more deliberate and sincere. When you `问候` someone, you are actively acknowledging your relationship with them and expressing genuine concern. This is especially true when greeting elders, teachers, or superiors. It signals that you remember them, respect their position, and care about their well-being. This act reinforces social bonds and shows good upbringing. It's a small but significant gesture that oils the wheels of social interaction in China.

`问候` is versatile but generally reserved for situations that require a degree of formality or sincerity. It is not typically used for daily, casual encounters between peers.

• Formal & Respectful Greetings: When you meet a teacher, a boss, or an elderly relative you haven't seen for some time, using `问候` is very appropriate.
  • “Teacher Li, I came specifically to see how you are doing.” (`…特地来问候您。`)
• Sending Regards (Very Common): One of the most frequent uses of `问候` is asking someone to pass on your greetings to a third party, usually a respected elder or a mutual friend.
  • “Please send my regards to your parents.” (`请代我向你父母问候。`)
• Written Communication: `问候` is common in the opening or closing of emails, letters, and even formal text messages to express goodwill.
  • “Sending my most sincere greetings.” (`致以最诚挚的问候。`)
• As a Noun: `问候` can also function as a noun meaning “greetings” or “regards.”
  • “Please accept my holiday greetings.” (`请接受我节日的问候。`)

• Example 1:
  • 我想问候一下你的父母，他们最近身体好吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng wènhòu yīxià nǐ de fùmǔ, tāmen zuìjìn shēntǐ hǎo ma?
  • English: I'd like to ask after your parents, how has their health been recently?
  • Analysis: This is a classic, warm use of `问候`. It's not just a greeting but a specific inquiry showing care for the listener's family.
• Example 2:
  • 请代我向王老师问候。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng dài wǒ xiàng Wáng lǎoshī wènhòu.
  • English: Please send my regards to Teacher Wang for me.
  • Analysis: This is an extremely common and polite way to pass on greetings. The structure is `代(dài) + 我(wǒ) + 向(xiàng) + [Person] + 问候`.
• Example 3:
  • 很久没见，今天我特地来问候您。
  • Pinyin: Hěnjiǔ méi jiàn, jīntiān wǒ tèdì lái wènhòu nín.
  • English: We haven't seen each other in a long time, so I came especially to greet you today.
  • Analysis: The use of `您 (nín)` and `特地 (tèdì - specially)` emphasizes the formality and respect of the `问候`. This is perfect for visiting an elder or a former mentor.
• Example 4:
  • 在信的结尾，他向我致以了亲切的问候。
  • Pinyin: Zài xìn de jiéwěi, tā xiàng wǒ zhìyǐle qīnqiè de wènhòu.
  • English: At the end of the letter, he extended his cordial greetings to me.
  • Analysis: Here, `问候` is used as a noun. `致以问候 (zhìyǐ wènhòu)` is a formal set phrase for “to send regards,” often found in writing.
• Example 5:
  • 朋友的问候让我感到了温暖。
  • Pinyin: Péngyǒu de wènhòu ràng wǒ gǎndào le wēnnuǎn.
  • English: My friend's greeting made me feel warm.
  • Analysis: Another example of `问候` as a noun, emphasizing the emotional impact of receiving a sincere greeting.
• Example 6:
  • 老板路过我的办公桌时，向我点头问候。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn lùguò wǒ de bàngōngzhuō shí, xiàng wǒ diǎntóu wènhòu.
  • English: When the boss passed by my desk, he nodded to greet me.
  • Analysis: This shows `问候` can also describe a non-verbal gesture of greeting when the intent is respectful acknowledgement.
• Example 7:
  • 新年到来之际，请接受我们最美好的祝福与问候。
  • Pinyin: Xīnnián dàolái zhī jì, qǐng jiēshòu wǒmen zuì měihǎo de zhùfú yǔ wènhòu.
  • English: As the New Year arrives, please accept our best wishes and greetings.
  • Analysis: `问候` is often paired with `祝福 (zhùfú - blessings/wishes)` in holiday messages.
• Example 8:
  • 听说你生病了，打电话来问候一下，现在好点了吗？
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō nǐ shēngbìng le, dǎ diànhuà lái wènhòu yīxià, xiànzài hǎodiǎn le ma?
  • English: I heard you were sick, so I'm calling to see how you are. Are you feeling any better now?
  • Analysis: `问候` is the perfect word to use when checking in on someone who is unwell, as it conveys genuine concern.
• Example 9:
  • 每次回家，邻居们都会热情地跟我问候。
  • Pinyin: Měi cì huí jiā, línjūmen dōu huì rèqíng de gēn wǒ wènhòu.
  • English: Every time I go home, the neighbors greet me enthusiastically.
  • Analysis: This describes a warm, community-based interaction. The `问候` here is likely a collection of friendly questions like “You're back!” and “How's work going?”.
• Example 10:
  • 一句简单的问候，拉近了我们之间的距离。
  • Pinyin: Yī jù jiǎndān de wènhòu, lā jìnle wǒmen zhī jiān de jùlí.
  • English: A simple greeting closed the distance between us.
  • Analysis: This sentence beautifully captures the social function of `问候`—to build and maintain connections.

• Mistake: Using `问候` for “Hello”. A beginner might see `问候` means “to greet” and try to use it like `你好`. Saying `我问候你 (wǒ wènhòu nǐ)` to a friend you see every day sounds overly formal and strange. For daily, casual greetings, stick to `你好 (nǐ hǎo)`, `嗨 (hāi)`, or `早 (zǎo)`.
  • Incorrect: (Seeing your roommate in the morning) `我问候你。`
  • Correct: (Seeing your roommate in the morning) `早！` or `嗨！`
• Nuance: `问候` vs. `打招呼 (dǎ zhāohu)`. `打招呼` means “to greet” or “to say hello,” but it often refers to the physical act of acknowledgement—a nod, a wave, or a quick “Hey!”. `问候` is deeper and implies more verbal and emotional content. You can `打招呼` to a stranger, but you would only `问候` someone with whom you have some form of existing relationship.
• False Friend: Not “to question” or “interrogate”. Although `问` means “to ask,” `问候` is never used to mean “to question someone” in an investigative sense. The context is always positive and implies care. For “to interrogate,” you would use words like `审问 (shěnwèn)` or `盘问 (pánwèn)`.

• `你好 (nǐ hǎo)` - The most common and neutral greeting in Chinese. `问候` is warmer, more formal, and more sincere.
• `打招呼 (dǎ zhāohu)` - To greet, say hello. Refers more to the action of greeting, which can be very brief (like a nod). It is more casual than `问候`.
• `致意 (zhìyì)` - To pay respects, to send regards. A very formal, often written, synonym for `问候`. You might see this in diplomatic or official correspondence.
• `寒暄 (hánxuān)` - To exchange pleasantries, to make small talk. It describes the light conversation that often follows a `问候`, like talking about the weather.
• `慰问 (wèiwèn)` - To express sympathy and concern, to console. This is a specific type of `问候` for someone who has experienced hardship, illness, or loss.
• `拜访 (bàifǎng)` - To pay a formal visit. A `拜访` is the event during which you would `问候` the person you are visiting.
• `祝福 (zhùfú)` - To wish someone well, blessings. Often paired with `问候`, especially in cards and messages for holidays or special occasions.