huǒhou

火候

HSK 7-9Word · Noun

heat control; degree of skill; timing

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 10 examples
1.

noun

heat (in cooking or firing); degree of heat and timing

neutral

A key concept in cooking, pottery, and metallurgy. It refers to controlling the intensity and duration of heat.

Shāo烧
yáo窑
liàn炼
tiě铁
dōu都
yào要
kàn看
huǒ火
hou候
 。

Both firing pottery and smelting iron require careful attention to the heat.

Tā她
chǎo炒
de的
cài菜
 ,
zuó作
liào料
hé和
huǒ火
hou候
dōu都
hěn很
dào到
jiā家
 。

The dishes she stir-fries have just the right seasoning and heat control.

Show 2 more examples
Dùn炖
zhè这
guō锅
tāng汤
xū需
yào要
zhǎng掌
wò握
hǎo好
huǒ火
hou候
 。

Making this soup requires mastering the heat.

Kǎo烤
dàn蛋
gāo糕
shí时
 ,
huǒ火
hou候
zuì最
zhòng重
yào要
 。

The heat is the most important thing when baking a cake.

2.

noun

level of skill or mastery (achieved through practice)

neutral

Metaphorically refers to the depth of skill or artistry, often in traditional arts or crafts.

Tā他
de的
shū书
fǎ法
dào到
huǒ火
hou候
le了
 。

His calligraphy has reached a masterful level.

Zhè这
wèi位
yǎn演
yuán员
de的
biǎo表
yǎn演
hái还
qiàn欠
diǎn点
huǒ火
hou候
 。

This actor's performance still lacks a bit of polish.

Show 1 more example
Xià下
qí棋
yào要
xiǎng想
yíng赢
tā他
 ,
nǐ你
de的
qí棋
lì力
hái还
déi得
zài再
liàn练
liàn练
huǒ火
hou候
 。

If you want to beat him at chess, you need to hone your skills a bit more.

3.

noun

critical moment; opportune time

neutral

Refers to a crucial or perfectly timed moment for action.

Zhèr这
zhèng儿
quē正
rén缺
nǐ人
 ,
lái你
dé来
zhèng得
shì正
huǒ是
hou火
 候
 。

We're short-handed here, and you've come at just the right moment.

Tán谈
pàn判
dào到
le了
guān关
jiàn键
huǒ火
hou候
 ,
bù不
néng能
chū出
cuò错
 。

The negotiation has reached a critical juncture; we can't make any mistakes.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
chā插
huà话
de的
shí时
jī机
méi没
bǎ把
wò握
hǎo好
huǒ火
hou候
 。

He didn't pick the right moment to interject.