(sòng) — to give (as a present); to see (someone) off, to accompany; to deliver, send, transmit

Definition

送 covers two main senses: giving a gift, and seeing someone off / accompanying them partway. Use 陪 for ongoing company, and 交 for handing in work or documents.

verb
to give (as a present)to see (someone) offto accompanyto deliversendtransmit

Examples

  • Bà ba sòng wǒ yì běn shū.
    Dad gave me a book as a present.
  • Wǒ qù chē zhàn sòng péng you.
    I go to the station to see my friend off.
  • Tā sòng xìn dào gōng sī.
    He delivers letters to the company.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
Written in full aschuòto walk
Sound part声符shēngfú
zhuànsòng
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.

Grammar

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