To greet someone is to acknowledge their presence and show them your respect or care.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to express polite greetings or care to others.
- Functions as both a verb and a noun in Chinese.
- Essential for social etiquette in both formal and informal settings.
Overview
- 1概述：问候是社交活动中最基本的礼仪之一。它不仅是一种沟通的开场白，更是人与人之间建立联系、表达友好与尊重的重要方式。在中文里，“问候”既是一个动词，表示“进行问候”这一动作，也可以作为名词使用，指代“问候的话语”。
常见语境：在日常生活中，同事见面会互相问候（如“早上好”）；在探望病人时，我们会表达慰问；在节日期间，人们会向亲友发送问候短信。这种表达在职场、家庭及社交场合均非常适用。
- 1近义词辨析：与“打招呼”相比，“问候”的语气更显正式且带有更多关怀色彩。“打招呼”通常指简单的点头或说声“嗨”，而“问候”往往包含更深层的关心，例如询问对方的身体状况或近期生活，因此在正式书信或长辈交流中，“问候”更为得体。
Examples
见到邻居时，他总是热情地问候。
everydayHe always greets his neighbors warmly when he sees them.
请代我向您的父母问候。
formalPlease convey my regards to your parents.
好久不见，发个信息问候一下。
informalLong time no see, let me send a message to say hello.
会议开始前，主席向全体参会人员致以问候。
academicBefore the meeting started, the chairperson extended greetings to all attendees.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
问候语
greeting
致以诚挚的问候
send sincere regards
代我问候他
give him my regards
Often Confused With
打招呼 is more casual and usually refers to the act of acknowledging someone's presence, like waving or saying hi. 问候 is more focused on the intent of expressing care.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '问候' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is more sophisticated than '打招呼'. When used in writing, it often appears in the opening or closing of a letter.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use '问候' as a noun when they mean the action of greeting. Remember that '问候' is both a verb and a noun, but '打招呼' is strictly a verb phrase.
Tips
Use it to show genuine care
Don't just use it as a formal requirement. Pair it with specific questions about health or work to make your greeting warmer.
Avoid overly formal tone with close friends
Using '问候' with very close friends might sound a bit distant. Stick to casual greetings like '嘿' or '最近怎么样' in those cases.
The importance of indirect greetings
In Chinese culture, it is very common to ask someone to 'pass on greetings' to their family members as a sign of respect.
Word Origin
The character '问' means to ask, and '候' refers to waiting or checking the situation. Together, they represent the act of asking about someone's condition.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, asking about someone's well-being is a fundamental way to build social harmony. It shows that you value the relationship.
Memory Tip
Think of it as 'Asking (问) about someone's state (候)'. It's the act of checking in on someone's well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“打招呼”通常比较随意，多用于见面时的简单互动。而“问候”包含的感情更深，常带有关心对方近况的意思，适用范围更广。
当然可以。对长辈使用“问候”显得非常有礼貌和孝顺，例如“代我向爷爷问候”。
不一定。它可以通过电话、微信、电子邮件或书信进行，是一种跨越距离的交流方式。
在正式场合可以使用“致以问候”或“代为问候”，这能体现出你的专业素养和礼貌。
Test Yourself
见到老师，我们要主动向他___。
问候是表达礼貌的行为，符合语境。
Score: /1
Summary
To greet someone is to acknowledge their presence and show them your respect or care.
- Used to express polite greetings or care to others.
- Functions as both a verb and a noun in Chinese.
- Essential for social etiquette in both formal and informal settings.
Use it to show genuine care
Don't just use it as a formal requirement. Pair it with specific questions about health or work to make your greeting warmer.
Avoid overly formal tone with close friends
Using '问候' with very close friends might sound a bit distant. Stick to casual greetings like '嘿' or '最近怎么样' in those cases.
The importance of indirect greetings
In Chinese culture, it is very common to ask someone to 'pass on greetings' to their family members as a sign of respect.
Examples
4 of 4见到邻居时，他总是热情地问候。
He always greets his neighbors warmly when he sees them.
请代我向您的父母问候。
Please convey my regards to your parents.
好久不见，发个信息问候一下。
Long time no see, let me send a message to say hello.
会议开始前，主席向全体参会人员致以问候。
Before the meeting started, the chairperson extended greetings to all attendees.
