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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.
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.
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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Etymology of 送
Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation
Depicts walking (辶) while carrying a present in both hands.
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.
When to use 送
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.
送 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 送
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.
