Definitions

sòng (verb) to deliver; to send
sòng (verb) to give (as a present)
sòng (verb) to see off

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "送" originates from a structural composition that integrates the radical "辶", indicating movement, with the component "关", which historically provided both phonetic and semantic contributions to form the concept of sending or escorting. Initially denoting the specific act of accompanying someone on their departure, its meaning broadened over time to encompass the delivery of objects, the offering of gifts, and the general notion of conveyance away from a source. Its form has remained largely consistent, with the interplay between its components continuously reflecting the core idea of transitive motion, while the semantic expansion from personal farewells to impersonal transfers illustrates adaptive shifts in its application within the language.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他一本书。

Wǒ sòng tā yī běn shū.

I give him a book.

妈妈我去学校。

Māma sòng wǒ qù xuéxiào.

Mom sends me to school.

他每天报纸。

Tā měitiān sòng bàozhǐ.

He delivers newspapers every day.

给我一个礼物。

Tā sòng gěi wǒ yī gè lǐwù.

She gave me a gift.

我们他一份贺卡。

Wǒmen sòng tā yī fèn hèkǎ.

We sent him a greeting card.

我要朋友去机场。

Wǒ yào sòng péngyou qù jīchǎng.

I want to see my friend off at the airport.

公司员工参加培训。

Gōngsī sòng yuángōng cānjiā péixùn.

The company sends employees to participate in training.

政府温暖到灾区。

Zhèngfǔ sòng wēnnuǎn dào zāiqū.

The government sends warmth to the disaster area.