Kanji 候 climate, season, weather Related words 時候 is the everyday compound for 'the season' or 'seasonal weather', while 候 alone is a classical, literary word for the same idea.
気候 is the standard modern term for 'climate', whereas 候 is an old-fashioned, poetic word touching on season or weather.
天候 is the common modern word for 'weather conditions', while 候 by itself is a literary term rarely used outside set phrases.
Don't confuse with 侯 (marquis, feudal lord) and 候 (sign, season, or classical auxiliary verb) look almost identical and share the reading こう , but are unrelated in meaning.
Word family· 62 candidate; contender; prospective choice; option · candidacy; nomination
climate
candidacy; standing as a candidate; bidding (for an event)
weather; weather conditions
sign; indication; symptom; omen
Show 16 more Show fewer bad weather; severe weather; poor weather conditions
scout; patrol; spy
symptom; clinical sign
all-weather; weatherproof
season; time of year
meteorological observation
waiting upon; attending; serving
migratory bird; bird of passage
season; climate
paleoclimate
weather resistance; weatherability
officer cadet (JSDF)
72 microseasons
the coldest season; midwinter
fringe candidate; minor candidate with little chance of winning
weathering steel; atmospheric-corrosion resistant steel
See all 62 in Explore →
Etymology The kanji 候 originally meant 'to wait upon' or 'to observe', and its use for 'season' or 'weather' likely derives from observing seasonal changes. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.
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