In 15 Seconds
- Use it for sending physical items via mail or courier.
- Commonly used for packages, letters, and official documents.
- Don't use it for emails or digital messages.
Meaning
This is the standard way to say you are sending something through the mail system. It covers everything from mailing a simple postcard to shipping a heavy box across the country.
Key Examples
3 of 6At the post office
我想邮寄这个包裹到北京。
I want to mail this package to Beijing.
Texting a friend about a gift
礼物已经邮寄给你了，记得查收！
The gift has been mailed to you, remember to check for it!
Formal business request
请将合同邮寄到我们公司。
Please mail the contract to our company.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects China's transition from the traditional 'Green Post' (China Post) to the modern era of hyper-fast private couriers. While the word itself is classic, it now represents a culture where almost anything can be mailed across the country in 48 hours. It is the linguistic bridge between old-school letters and modern online shopping addiction.
Shorten it for speed
In daily life, just say `寄` (jì). It's faster and sounds more like a local. 'I'll mail it' becomes `我寄一下`.
The 'Kuaidi' Culture
While `邮寄` is the verb, the noun for the package is usually `快递` (kuàidì). If you're waiting for a mail, you're waiting for your `快递`.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it for sending physical items via mail or courier.
- Commonly used for packages, letters, and official documents.
- Don't use it for emails or digital messages.
What It Means
邮寄 is your go-to word for anything involving the postal service. The first character 邮 (yóu) relates to the post office. The second character 寄 (jì) means to send or mail. Together, they describe the physical act of handing an item over to a courier or postman. It is practical and direct.
How To Use It
You usually place the object you are sending right after the phrase. For example, 邮寄包裹 (mail a package). If you want to say who you are sending it to, use the structure 'to [person] 邮寄 [item]'. It feels very active. You are the one initiating the delivery process. It is a solid, reliable verb for your daily life in China.
When To Use It
Use this when you are at the China Post counter. Use it when you are talking to a seller on Taobao about your order. It is perfect for professional emails when you need to send documents. You can also use it when telling a friend you sent them a birthday gift. It fits perfectly in any scenario involving a physical stamp or tracking number.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use 邮寄 for digital things. You don't 邮寄 an email or a WeChat message. For those, just use 发 (fā). Also, if you are just handing something to a friend in person, this word is too 'postal' for that. It implies a distance that requires a delivery service. Don't use it for moving house; that is 搬家 (bānjiā).
Cultural Background
In China, the postal system has evolved into a high-tech marvel. While 邮寄 sounds traditional, it now powers the massive e-commerce culture. Everyone from grandmas to students uses delivery services daily. The 'courier brother' or 快递小哥 is a local hero. Mailing things is no longer a slow process; it is the heartbeat of modern Chinese convenience.
Common Variations
In casual conversation, people often shorten it to just 寄 (jì). You will hear 寄快递 (send an express delivery) much more often on the street. If you are specifically using the government post office, you might mention 邮局 (yóujú). For international shipping, you add 国际 (guójì) to the front. It is a flexible root word for all things delivery-related.
Usage Notes
The phrase is very stable across all regions of China. It is slightly more 'proper' than just saying `寄`, making it ideal for filling out forms or talking to service staff. Avoid using it for anything that doesn't involve a physical courier.
Shorten it for speed
In daily life, just say `寄` (jì). It's faster and sounds more like a local. 'I'll mail it' becomes `我寄一下`.
The 'Kuaidi' Culture
While `邮寄` is the verb, the noun for the package is usually `快递` (kuàidì). If you're waiting for a mail, you're waiting for your `快递`.
Digital No-Go
Never use `邮寄` for emails. Even though 'mail' is in 'email', Chinese makes a hard distinction between physical and digital sending.
Examples
6我想邮寄这个包裹到北京。
I want to mail this package to Beijing.
A standard, polite way to state your intent to a clerk.
礼物已经邮寄给你了，记得查收！
The gift has been mailed to you, remember to check for it!
Friendly and informative for personal relationships.
请将合同邮寄到我们公司。
Please mail the contract to our company.
Standard phrasing for professional logistics.
邮寄到美国要多少钱？
How much does it cost to mail to the US?
Essential travel and expat phrase.
你是用蜗牛邮寄的吗？太慢了！
Did you mail this via snail? It's so slow!
A common joke about slow delivery times.
我给你邮寄了一些家乡的特产。
I mailed you some specialties from my hometown.
Shows care through the act of sending physical goods.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about sending a letter.
请帮我把这封信___了。
`邮寄` means to mail, which is the only logical action for a letter (`信`) in this context.
Which word is NOT appropriate for sending an email?
我不可以用___来发送电子邮件。
`邮寄` is strictly for physical items, while `发` (send) or `写` (write) are used for digital emails.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Sending Things
Just using 'send'
寄 (jì)
Standard term for mailing
邮寄 (yóují)
Official dispatch
寄送 (jìsòng)
When to use 邮寄
Post Office
Mailing a heavy box
Business
Sending a signed contract
Shopping
Returning an item
Holidays
Sending a postcard
Practice Bank
2 exercises请帮我把这封信___了。
`邮寄` means to mail, which is the only logical action for a letter (`信`) in this context.
我不可以用___来发送电子邮件。
`邮寄` is strictly for physical items, while `发` (send) or `写` (write) are used for digital emails.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you should use 发 (fā) for emails. 邮寄 is strictly for physical items like boxes or paper letters.
邮寄 is the full formal term, while 寄 is the shorthand. In casual speech, 寄 is much more common, like saying 寄快递.
It is neutral to slightly formal. It's perfectly fine for both business documents and personal packages.
The most common term is 邮费 (yóufèi), which literally means 'mail fee'.
Yes, just add 国际 (international) before it, as in 国际邮寄.
Usually, you use 到 (dào) or 给 (gěi). For example, 邮寄到北京 (mail to Beijing) or 邮寄给我 (mail to me).
It is 邮局 (yóujú). You go to the 邮局 to 邮寄 your things.
Not exactly slang, but 寄 has recently become gaming slang for 'GG' or 'I'm finished' (from 'over'), but that's a totally different context!
If you are using a shipping service, yes. If you are hiring a moving van, use 搬运 (bānyùn) or 搬家 (bānjiā).
You can say 请邮寄给我 (Please mail it to me). It's polite and clear.
Related Phrases
快递
Express delivery / courier
邮费
Postage / shipping fee
包裹
Package / parcel
查收
To check and receive (formal)
