In 15 Seconds
- Used for delivering mail, packages, or job resumes.
- More formal than the basic word for 'to give'.
- Implies a professional or systematic process of sending.
Meaning
It means to deliver or send something specific, like a letter, a package, or even your resume to a company.
Key Examples
3 of 6Checking on a letter
邮递员正在投递我的信件。
The mailman is delivering my letter.
Applying for a new job
我已经向那家公司投递了简历。
I have already submitted my resume to that company.
Formal announcement
请确保地址准确，以便顺利投递。
Please ensure the address is accurate for successful delivery.
Cultural Background
The term reflects China's transition from a traditional postal society to a digital logistics powerhouse. While originally for paper mail, it is now the standard verb for the high-stakes action of submitting job applications online. It carries a sense of formality and 'official' movement that everyday verbs lack.
The Resume Rule
If you want to sound like a serious job seeker, always use `投递简历` instead of just `发简历` (send resume).
No Pizza!
Avoid using `投递` for food. It sounds like you are treating a pepperoni pizza like a legal subpoena.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for delivering mail, packages, or job resumes.
- More formal than the basic word for 'to give'.
- Implies a professional or systematic process of sending.
What It Means
投递 is a fancy way to say 'deliver.' It combines 'throwing' or 'sending' with 'handing over.' Think of it as the journey of an object. It starts with you and ends at its destination. It is most common for mail and documents.
How To Use It
Use it when you talk about the postman. Use it when you talk about your job hunt. You pair it with objects like 信件 (letters) or 简历 (resumes). It feels more professional than just saying 'give.' It implies a system is moving the item for you.
When To Use It
You will see this on tracking apps. Your phone might buzz saying your package is being 投递. Use it at the post office. Use it when applying for your dream job. It sounds like you know the system. It makes you sound organized and serious.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for pizza delivery. That is usually 外送 or 送外卖. Don't use it when handing a pen to a friend. That is just 给. If you say 投递 for a slice of cake, people will laugh. It sounds like the cake is a legal document.
Cultural Background
China has the world's fastest delivery culture now. But 投递 carries the weight of the old postal service. It feels reliable and official. In the digital age, it moved to the job market. Sending a resume is now a digital 'delivery' of your life story.
Common Variations
You will often hear 投递员 for a mail carrier. Another common one is 投递简历 for job seekers. It is a fixed phrase in the corporate world. If you are job hunting, you are 'delivering' your future to the HR department.
Usage Notes
This phrase sits in the neutral-to-formal range. It is the 'correct' word for logistics and job hunting, but using it for casual favors makes you sound like a robot.
The Resume Rule
If you want to sound like a serious job seeker, always use `投递简历` instead of just `发简历` (send resume).
No Pizza!
Avoid using `投递` for food. It sounds like you are treating a pepperoni pizza like a legal subpoena.
Postal History
The character `投` means 'to throw'. In ancient times, messages were sometimes thrown over walls or into specific containers!
Examples
6邮递员正在投递我的信件。
The mailman is delivering my letter.
This is the most classic use of the phrase.
我已经向那家公司投递了简历。
I have already submitted my resume to that company.
In a job context, it means 'to apply' or 'submit'.
请确保地址准确，以便顺利投递。
Please ensure the address is accurate for successful delivery.
Used in instructions or formal notices.
快递显示正在投递中，好期待！
The tracking shows it's out for delivery, so excited!
Commonly seen in shipping app notifications.
他们每天都在投递这些无用的广告。
They are delivering these useless advertisements every day.
Using a formal word for junk mail adds a touch of irony.
我每天都在等他投递的那份思念。
Every day I wait for the delivery of his longing (via mail).
Poetic use implying the letter carries emotions.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct object for the verb '投递' in a professional setting.
我刚刚在网上___了我的简历。
You 'deliver' or 'submit' (投递) a resume, you don't run or eat it!
Complete the sentence about a mail carrier's job.
邮递员的工作是___信件。
A mail carrier's job is to deliver (投递) letters, not buy or write them.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Delivery' Verbs
Handing something over personally
给 (gěi)
Sending via courier or app
送 (sòng)
Official postal or job submission
投递 (tóudì)
Where to use 投递
Post Office
Sending a parcel
Job Search
Sending a CV
App Tracking
Package status
Newspaper
Morning delivery
Practice Bank
2 exercises我刚刚在网上___了我的简历。
You 'deliver' or 'submit' (投递) a resume, you don't run or eat it!
邮递员的工作是___信件。
A mail carrier's job is to deliver (投递) letters, not buy or write them.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, no. For emails, we use 发送. 投递 is reserved for physical mail or formal job applications.
It is a formal name for a delivery person, usually a mail carrier or someone delivering newspapers.
It is used when talking about logistics or jobs, but for personal favors, we just use 给 or 送.
Not really. For a gift, use 送. 投递 sounds too much like a business transaction.
送 is general (sending anything). 投递 is specific to professional delivery systems like 投递信件.
Yes, you will see it in the tracking status like 正在投递 (currently being delivered).
It is primarily a verb, but it can be part of a compound noun like 投递地址 (delivery address).
The standard phrase is 投递简历 (tóudì jiǎnlì). It is very common in professional Chinese.
Not necessarily. It implies the completion of a delivery process rather than the speed of it.
Only for resumes or applications on job platforms. For other files, use 上传 (upload) or 发送 (send).
Related Phrases
快递
Express delivery / Courier
发送
To send (general/digital)
交付
To hand over / Deliver (results or projects)
简历
Resume / CV
