In 15 Seconds
- A celebratory way to see someone off on a journey.
- Commonly used for retirements, graduations, and moving away.
- Combines 'joy' and 'sending off' for a positive goodbye.
- Often used for organized farewell events or parties.
Meaning
It is a warm way to say goodbye to someone who is leaving. It implies a sense of celebration or honor, like throwing a small party or gathering to see them off.
Key Examples
3 of 6At the office for a retiring boss
我们明天要欢送王经理。
We are going to see off Manager Wang tomorrow.
Texting a group about a friend moving away
大家晚上一起去欢送小月吧！
Let's all go see off Xiaoyue tonight!
A formal announcement at a university
学校举行了毕业欢送会。
The school held a graduation farewell party.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the Chinese 'hospitality cycle' where the end of a stay is as important as the beginning. It stems from the Confucian tradition of showing deep respect to travelers and colleagues. In modern times, it is the standard term for retirement parties and graduation ceremonies.
The 'Joy' Factor
Even if you are sad they are leaving, use `欢送` to show you are happy for their next step. It's about being supportive.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for someone just going to lunch, they will think you are making fun of them or really want them to leave!
In 15 Seconds
- A celebratory way to see someone off on a journey.
- Commonly used for retirements, graduations, and moving away.
- Combines 'joy' and 'sending off' for a positive goodbye.
- Often used for organized farewell events or parties.
What It Means
欢送 (huānsòng) is more than just saying bye. It is about sending someone away with joy and good vibes. Think of it as a 'happy departure.' You use it when someone is moving, graduating, or finishing a job. It turns a potentially sad goodbye into a celebratory event.
How To Use It
You usually put the person you are seeing off right after the phrase. For example, 欢送朋友 (seeing off a friend). It is often used as a verb or a noun. You can 'hold a 欢送 meeting' or 'go to 欢送 a colleague.' It is active and intentional. You don't just happen to see them; you make an effort to be there.
When To Use It
Use this when the departure is a milestone. Is your coworker retiring? Use 欢送. Is an exchange student going back home? Definitely 欢送. It works perfectly for office parties or airport goodbyes. It shows you value the time you spent together. It makes the person leaving feel like a VIP for a moment.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for a quick coffee break goodbye. If your friend is just going to the bathroom, saying 欢送 is overkill. Avoid it in tragic circumstances too. If someone is leaving because of a sad emergency, 'joyful sending' feels tone-deaf. Keep it for planned, positive transitions. Using it for a grocery run will just get you weird looks.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture places huge importance on 'face' and hospitality. A proper 欢送 shows the guest was well-loved. Historically, officials were sent off with grand ceremonies to show respect. Today, it’s less about horses and more about KTV or a big dinner. It’s the bookend to the 'welcome' (欢迎). If you welcome someone well, you must send them off well too.
Common Variations
You will often hear 欢送会 (huānsònghuì), which is a farewell party. There is also 欢送词 (huānsòngcí), the speech you give at the party. If you are at the airport, you might just say 送行 (sòngxíng). But adding that 欢 (joy) makes it much more heartwarming and formal. It’s the difference between 'bye' and 'we will miss you!'
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral-to-formal. It is perfect for workplace transitions or significant life changes, but too heavy for daily casual goodbyes.
The 'Joy' Factor
Even if you are sad they are leaving, use `欢送` to show you are happy for their next step. It's about being supportive.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for someone just going to lunch, they will think you are making fun of them or really want them to leave!
The Gift Rule
A `欢送` event usually involves a small group gift. In China, giving a framed photo or a practical item is a common way to 'joyfully send' someone.
Examples
6我们明天要欢送王经理。
We are going to see off Manager Wang tomorrow.
Here it implies an organized farewell event.
大家晚上一起去欢送小月吧！
Let's all go see off Xiaoyue tonight!
Suggests a group gathering or dinner.
学校举行了毕业欢送会。
The school held a graduation farewell party.
Used as a noun to describe the event type.
我们要不要为你开个欢送会？
Should we hold a farewell party for you?
Sarcastic use because the departure is so brief.
去机场欢送客人的时候，他哭了。
When seeing off the guest at the airport, he cried.
Highlights the emotional weight of a proper send-off.
公司准备了礼物来欢送他。
The company prepared a gift to see him off.
Focuses on the gesture of appreciation.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the sentence for a colleague's last day.
我们要为张老师开一个___。
`欢送会` means farewell party, which fits a teacher leaving.
Which verb fits best for seeing a friend off at the train station?
我下午去车站___朋友。
`欢送` is the action of seeing someone off as they depart.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Say Goodbye
Basic 'Goodbye'
See you later.
Seeing someone off (neutral)
Going to the airport.
Celebratory farewell
Retirement party.
When to use 欢送
Retirement
A long career ends.
Moving House
Friend moving to a new city.
Graduation
Leaving school behind.
End of Project
A consultant finishing their term.
Practice Bank
2 exercises我们要为张老师开一个___。
`欢送会` means farewell party, which fits a teacher leaving.
我下午去车站___朋友。
`欢送` is the action of seeing someone off as they depart.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While it sounds a bit more polished than 再见, you can use it with friends for a 'farewell dinner' (欢送晚餐).
送 just means to escort or deliver. 欢送 specifically means to celebrate someone's departure.
Usually, others 欢送 you. You wouldn't say 'I am joyfully sending myself off' unless you're joking.
Usually no. 欢送 is for more permanent departures, like moving or finishing a job, not a one-week trip.
You say 欢送会 (huānsònghuì). It's the most common way to use the phrase in a social context.
No, that would be very inappropriate. For funerals, use 追悼 (zhuīdào) or 告别 (gàobié).
It's usually a group, but one person can 欢送 another if they want to make the goodbye feel special and official.
The opposite is 欢迎 (huānyíng), which means to welcome someone.
Yes, it's the standard term for when an employee leaves the company on good terms.
Yes, if they stayed for a long time, you can say 欢送客人 to show you enjoyed their stay.
Related Phrases
欢迎
To welcome
送行
To see someone off (general)
告别
To bid farewell
一路平安
Have a safe trip
