送礼 (sòng lǐ) — to give a gift, to present a gift (to someone)

Definition

送礼 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to give a gift' — object 礼 splits off: 送过礼, 送一份礼. More formal and gift-focused than 送东西, which covers giving any item.

verb
to give a giftto present a gift (to someone)

Examples

  • 。
    Tā gěi wǒ sòng le yí gè dà lǐ.
    He gave me a big gift.
  • ，送礼。
    Guò nián de shí hou, hěn duō rén dōu huì sòng lǐ.
    During the New Year, many people give gifts.
  • ？
    Nǐ sòng guò lǐ gěi lǎo bǎn ma?
    Have you ever given a gift to your boss?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

送sònggive
礼lǐgift

送 means give, 礼 is gift; giving a gift describes presenting it.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòto walk
Sound part声符shēngfú
灷
灷zhuàn送sòng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

送 combines 辶, the walking radical, with 灷, which supplies the sound; the walking part fits meanings like see off or deliver.

Open 送 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 禮; 礼 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
礻Written in full as示shìaltar
Sound part声符shēngfú
豊
豊lǐ禮lǐ
Same sound today

The traditional form 禮 pairs 礻 (altar) with 豊, a sound part, for performing rites at the altar; the simplified 礼 is a later shorthand.

Open 礼 →

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