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March 24, 2026
送sòng(song4)
The character 送 (sòng) primarily means 'to send' or 'to deliver.' It is commonly used in contexts involving giving gifts, seeing someone off at a departure, or dispatching items. The word carries a sense of both action and intention, reflecting the act of providing something to another person.
Strokes9Radical辶Frequency#279DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of giving gifts (送礼) is deeply rooted in social customs and relationships, particularly during festivals or important events to express respect and goodwill. The way one sends gifts can convey significant meaning.
Memory Tip
Imagine a friend named Song who always delivers gifts. The character 送 has a component that resembles a person (the left radical) carrying a package (the right side). Visualize Song happily delivering presents to friends, reinforcing the idea of sending and giving.
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AI Study Notes for 送
Quick Contrast
寄 (jì) - use 送 (sòng) when the focus is on the act of sending or delivering to someone personally, while 寄 (jì) emphasizes sending something via mail or another service.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a friend named Song who always delivers gifts. The character 送 has a component that resembles a person (the left radical) carrying a package (the right side). Visualize Song happily delivering presents to friends, reinforcing the idea of sending and giving.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 送 in appropriate contexts; it’s often used in both formal and informal situations. Common collocations include 送礼 (sòng lǐ - to give a gift) and 送朋友 (sòng péngyǒu - to see off a friend). Avoid confusing it with other similar verbs like 给 (gěi - to give) which has a different nuance.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 送 connects well with other verbs related to giving and actions involving people, like 给 (gěi) and 带 (dài - to bring). Focus on practicing sentences that involve sending gifts or seeing someone off to solidify your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of giving gifts (送礼) is deeply rooted in social customs and relationships, particularly during festivals or important events to express respect and goodwill. The way one sends gifts can convey significant meaning.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 送 with 给, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我送他一个礼物' (I give him a gift) should correctly be '我给他一个礼物' to emphasize the act of giving.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 送
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Grammar Patterns of 送
送 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In Chinese culture, the act of giving gifts (送礼) is deeply rooted in social customs and relationships, particularly during festivals or important events to express respect and goodwill. The way one sends gifts can convey significant meaning.
Word Family of 送
Compounds2
鎹
餸
Words Containing This Character20
送sòngto deliver
送给sònggěito send送給
发送fāsòngto transmit發送
赠送zèngsòngto present as a gift贈送
传送to convey傳送
运送yùnsòngto transport運送
护送to escort護送
输送shūsòngto transport輸送
配送pèisòngdistribution
送达to deliver送達
送礼sònglǐto give a present送禮
送货to deliver goods送貨
接送jiēsòngpicking up and dropping off
放送to broadcast
送命to get killed
送死to throw away one's life
派送to send
送行sòngxíngto see someone off
押送to send under escort
欢送to see off歡送
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 送 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 送
No, 送 can also refer to seeing someone off or dispatching items, not just gifts.
Yes, 送 is appropriate in formal situations, such as sending documents or gifts in a business setting.
送 emphasizes the act of sending or delivering, while 给 focuses more on the act of giving.
