伺 cì to serve
to serve; to wait upon; to attend
How to remember 伺: 亻 person + 司 department = to serve. At the hotel, every person from the room service department is trained to serve to each guest.
Component breakdown
伺 = 亻 person + 司 department
- 亻 person
- 司 department
- 𠃌 blade
- 𠮛 piled up
At the hotel, every person from the room service department is trained to serve to each guest.
How it is used
- To wait upon / attend, and to watch for a chance - 伺候 (cìhou) to wait on/serve someone, 伺机 (sìjī) to bide one's time for an opportunity.
- Note the two readings: cì in 伺候 (to serve), but sì elsewhere (伺机, 窥伺). A classic reading trap.
- 伺机 carries a slightly scheming edge - waiting to pounce.