火候 huǒhou heat control
heat control; (figuratively) mastery; (figuratively) crucial moment
How to remember 火候: 火 fire (Kangxi radical 86) + 候 waiting for = heat control.
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How it is used
- Literally the heat/timing in cooking - 掌握火候 (zhǎngwò huǒhou) to control the heat.
- Figurative and very common: the right degree of skill or the crucial moment - 他的功夫还不到火候 (tā de gōngfu hái bú dào huǒhou) his skill isn't fully seasoned yet.
- Note 候 is neutral tone (huǒhou); the metaphorical 'mastery/timing' sense appears constantly in describing craft, negotiation, or ripeness of a moment.