In 15 Seconds
- Means 'to deliver goods' in a commercial context.
- Used for online shopping, furniture, or business logistics.
- Don't use it for food delivery or personal gifts.
Meaning
This phrase literally means to 'send goods.' It's what you say when a delivery driver brings your online shopping or when a store sends items to your house.
Key Examples
3 of 6Asking a shop about delivery
你们可以送货上门吗？
Can you deliver to my door?
A delivery driver calling you
你好，我是来送货的。
Hello, I am here to deliver your goods.
Checking status with a seller
老板，你们什么时候送货？
Boss, when will you deliver the goods?
Cultural Background
China's e-commerce explosion has made 'songhuo' a daily ritual for millions. The rise of 'Kuaidi' (express delivery) services means that almost anything can be delivered within hours, creating a unique urban landscape filled with delivery scooters.
The 'Shifu' Trick
When the delivery person calls, address them as `师傅` (shīfu). It's a respectful way to address skilled workers and usually gets you better service!
Don't use for Pizza
If you ordered pizza or bubble tea, use `送外卖` (sòng wàimài). Using `送货` for food sounds like you're receiving a shipment of frozen ingredients.
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'to deliver goods' in a commercial context.
- Used for online shopping, furniture, or business logistics.
- Don't use it for food delivery or personal gifts.
What It Means
送货 is the bread and butter of modern Chinese life. It describes the physical act of moving a product from a seller to a buyer. Think of it as the 'last mile' of shopping. It is functional, direct, and very common.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb-object phrase. You can say a company 送货 to your house. You can ask if a shop provides this service. It is often paired with 上门 (shàngmén) to mean 'delivery to your door.'
When To Use It
Use it when tracking a package. Use it when talking to a courier on the phone. It is perfect for business settings too. If you are a boss, you tell your staff to 送货. If you are a customer, you ask 'When will you 送货?'
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for giving gifts to friends. That is just 送 (sòng). 货 implies merchandise or commercial goods. Using it for a birthday present makes you sound like a cold corporation. Also, don't use it for food delivery apps like Meituan; use 外卖 (wàimài) instead.
Cultural Background
China has the world's most intense delivery culture. You will see electric scooters everywhere. The 'Kuaidi' (express delivery) culture has made 送货 a 24/7 reality. It is the heartbeat of the digital economy. People expect speed and efficiency.
Common Variations
You will often hear 送货上门 (delivery to the door). Another one is 发货 (fāhuò), which means the item has left the warehouse. If the delivery is free, look for 包邮 (bāoyóu).
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile but strictly commercial. Avoid using it in purely social or personal contexts to avoid sounding like a salesperson.
The 'Shifu' Trick
When the delivery person calls, address them as `师傅` (shīfu). It's a respectful way to address skilled workers and usually gets you better service!
Don't use for Pizza
If you ordered pizza or bubble tea, use `送外卖` (sòng wàimài). Using `送货` for food sounds like you're receiving a shipment of frozen ingredients.
The 'Last Mile' obsession
In China, `送货上门` is often expected. If a company asks you to pick it up at a locker (like Hive Box), they might apologize for not 'sending it to the door'.
Examples
6你们可以送货上门吗？
Can you deliver to my door?
A standard question when buying heavy items like furniture.
你好，我是来送货的。
Hello, I am here to deliver your goods.
The most common sentence you'll hear from a courier.
老板，你们什么时候送货？
Boss, when will you deliver the goods?
Using 'Boss' is a friendly way to address small shop owners.
怎么还没送货？我都等了三天了！
Why hasn't it been delivered yet? I've waited three days!
Expressing frustration over a slow delivery.
货运公司下午会来送货。
The trucking company will deliver the goods this afternoon.
Standard business logistics phrasing.
你的男朋友来给你送货（零食）了！
Your boyfriend is here to deliver your 'goods' (snacks)!
Using commercial terms for snacks adds a playful, cute tone.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about a furniture store.
这家家具店可以免费 ___。
Furniture is a 'good' (huò), so 'sònghuò' is the correct term for delivery.
What do you say when the delivery man is at the door?
师傅，请把 ___ 放在门口。
While 'sònghuò' is the action, 'huò' is the noun for the goods themselves.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '送货'
Talking to a courier
放门口吧 (Leave it at the door)
Standard shopping
什么时候送货？
Logistics contract
按时送货 (Deliver on time)
Where to use '送货'
Buying a Sofa
免费送货
Online Shopping
正在送货
Business Supply
送货单
Courier Call
来送货的
Practice Bank
2 exercises这家家具店可以免费 ___。
Furniture is a 'good' (huò), so 'sònghuò' is the correct term for delivery.
师傅，请把 ___ 放在门口。
While 'sònghuò' is the action, 'huò' is the noun for the goods themselves.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, that sounds too commercial. Use 送礼物 (sòng lǐwù) instead.
送货 is the action of delivering. 快递 (kuàidì) refers to the express delivery service or the package itself.
It is neutral. You can use it with a delivery driver or in a professional business email.
You can ask 免费送货吗？ (Miǎnfèi sònghuò ma?) or look for the word 包邮 (bāoyóu).
It means 'delivery person.' However, in daily life, people usually just call them 快递员 (kuàidìyuán).
Not really. 货 implies physical items. For digital goods, people usually say 发货 (fāhuò) to mean the code or link was sent.
It is a delivery note or packing slip that you sign when you receive a large shipment.
Yes, it's very common in texts from shops or logistics apps like 您的订单正在送货中.
You can say 请在下午送货 (Please deliver in the afternoon).
Not necessarily. 送货 is just the act. You should clarify if it is 免费 (free) or if there is a 运费 (shipping fee).
Related Phrases
快递 (Express delivery)
外卖 (Takeout/Food delivery)
发货 (To ship out)
收货 (To receive goods)
包邮 (Free shipping)
