配送 (peisòng) vs 送货 (sònghuò) — use 配送 when emphasizing the logistics aspect of delivery, while 送货 focuses more on the act of delivering goods.

Imagine a 'pacing' deliveryman 'song'-ing happily as he delivers packages. The character 配 (pei) looks like a person with arms outstretched, ready to distribute, while 送 (song) resembles someone waving goodbye as they deliver items.

Be careful not to confuse 配送 with 供应 (gongying), which means supply. 配送 is more about the act of delivery itself. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in business and customer service.

Though 配送 is not an HSK word, it relates to logistics and commerce terms often found in HSK vocabulary. Students at this level should focus on using it in sentences about delivery services or logistics.

In China, the rapid rise of e-commerce has made 配送 an essential part of daily life, with companies like Alibaba and JD.com revolutionizing how goods are delivered across the country.

Learners often confuse 配送 with 送 (song), which means to send. For example, saying '我会送给你' (I will deliver to you) instead of '我会配送给你' is incorrect if the context is about logistics.