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March 24, 2026
递(遞)dì(di4)
The character 递 (dì) primarily means 'to hand over' or 'to pass on something.' It is commonly used in contexts where items, information, or responsibilities are transferred from one person to another. Additionally, it can refer to the gradual increase or decrease of something over time, signifying a progressive change.
Strokes10Radical辶Frequency#7175DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of handing over and delivering is often seen as a mark of respect and responsibility, especially during formal occasions like ceremonies or business meetings where proper etiquette is crucial.
Memory Tip
Imagine a relay race where runners 递 (dì) the baton to each other. Picture the smooth transition of the baton representing how things are handed over. The pronunciation 'dì' sounds like 'dee,' which can remind you of a delivery person who deftly passes items along.
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AI Study Notes for 递
Quick Contrast
交 (jiāo) - use 递 (dì) when emphasizing the act of passing something along, while 交 (jiāo) often implies a broader sense of giving or exchanging.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a relay race where runners 递 (dì) the baton to each other. Picture the smooth transition of the baton representing how things are handed over. The pronunciation 'dì' sounds like 'dee,' which can remind you of a delivery person who deftly passes items along.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 递 (dì), as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other words. It's often used in formal settings, especially in business or academic contexts, so it's important to practice appropriate collocations like 递交 (to submit) or 递送 (to deliver).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 递 (dì) connects with other verbs related to movement or transfer, such as 传 (chuán) which means to transmit. Students should focus on using 递 in various contexts to enhance their understanding of gradual processes and the act of transferring.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of handing over and delivering is often seen as a mark of respect and responsibility, especially during formal occasions like ceremonies or business meetings where proper etiquette is crucial.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 递 with 送 (sòng), which also means 'to send.' For instance, saying '我递了包裹' instead of '我送了包裹' can be incorrect if the focus is on sending rather than handing over in a formal context. Always consider the context in which you use each term.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 递
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Grammar Patterns of 递
递 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 5 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.
She handed over a form, then bobbed down again behind a typewriter.
Cultural Notes for 递
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of handing over and delivering is often seen as a mark of respect and responsibility, especially during formal occasions like ceremonies or business meetings where proper etiquette is crucial.
Word Family of 递
Words Containing This Character20
传递chuándìto transmit傳遞
快递kuàidìexpress delivery快遞
递dìto hand over遞
递交dìjiāoto present遞交
邮递员mailman郵遞員
递增dìzēngincremental遞增
投递to deliver投遞
速递courier速遞
递减gradually falling遞減
递送to deliver遞送
邮递to mail郵遞
专递courier專遞
递质neurotransmitter遞質
投递员courier投遞員
递进gradual progress遞進
呈递to present呈遞
特快专递express mail特快專遞
递补to substitute遞補
递归recursion遞歸
转递to pass on轉遞
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 传递 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 递
For example, you can say '请把文件递给我' (Please hand the document to me).
Synonyms include 传 (to transmit) and 送 (to send), but each has its own nuances.
Yes, but it's more common in formal contexts. In casual speech, you might use simpler verbs like 给 (to give).
