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送别 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
送别sòngbiéfarewellHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #20938, Very Hard
sòngbié(song4bie2)song bie T4
  1. 1farewell
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March 24, 2026

送别(送別)sòngbié(song4bie2)

送别 (sòngbié) means 'to bid farewell' or 'to see someone off.' It is commonly used in contexts where friends or loved ones part ways, such as at train stations or airports. The term conveys a sense of warmth and emotional connection during farewells.

Strokes16Frequency#20938DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, sending someone off is a significant gesture often accompanied by small gifts or food, reflecting hospitality and the importance of relationships. This practice highlights the value placed on connections and the emotional weight of farewells.

Memory Tip

Imagine a train pulling away as you wave goodbye to a friend. The '送' (sòng) part looks like a hand waving, and '别' (bié) can remind you of 'bye.' Together, they create a vivid image of sending someone off with a heartfelt goodbye.

Meanings of 送别

sòngbié(song4bie2)
1farewell
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 送别

送别Simplified
送別Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 送别

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AI Study Notes for 送别

Quick Contrast

告别 (gàobié) is more formal and can imply a more permanent farewell, while 送别 (sòngbié) emphasizes the act of seeing someone off with warmth.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 送别 with just saying goodbye, but it specifically implies the act of seeing someone off. It is slightly more formal than simply saying '再见' (zàijiàn). Be mindful of using it in appropriate contexts, such as formal farewells.

HSK Study Tips

Although 送别 is not in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK 3-4 themes like travel and emotions. Focus on using it in sentences about leaving or parting to enhance your conversational skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes mistakenly use 送别 when discussing casual goodbyes. For example, saying '我送别你' (Wǒ sòngbié nǐ) is incorrect; instead, use '我送你' (Wǒ sòng nǐ) for a more casual context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 送别

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Component Characters

送sòngto deliver
HSK 29 strokes辶
View full entry
别biéto leave
HSK 27 strokes刂
View full entry

How to say farewell in Chinese

“farewell” in Chinese is送别sòngbié

送别 (sòngbié) means 'to bid farewell' or 'to see someone off.' It is commonly used in contexts where friends or loved ones part ways, such as at train stations or airports. The term conveys a sense of warmth and emotional connection during farewells.

When to use 送别

Learners often confuse 送别 with just saying goodbye, but it specifically implies the act of seeing someone off. It is slightly more formal than simply saying '再见' (zàijiàn). Be mindful of using it in appropriate contexts, such as formal farewells.

送别 or something close to it

告别 (gàobié) is more formal and can imply a more permanent farewell, while 送别 (sòngbié) emphasizes the act of seeing someone off with warmth.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes mistakenly use 送别 when discussing casual goodbyes. For example, saying '我送别你' (Wǒ sòngbié nǐ) is incorrect; instead, use '我送你' (Wǒ sòng nǐ) for a more casual context.

Write 送别

送
别

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Frequently Asked Questions about 送别

It's best to reserve 送别 for more meaningful or formal farewells; for casual situations, simply saying 再见 (zàijiàn) is sufficient.

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