递

• Pinyin: dì
• Hanzi breakdown: 递 = 辶 (movement radical) + 弟 (younger brother, phonetic)

Meaning

To hand over; to pass; to deliver. To give something by moving it toward someone.

A common verb for physically passing objects to someone. Also used in compounds like 传递 (transmit), 递交 (submit), 快递 (express delivery), and 递增 (increase progressively).

Examples

1. 请把那支笔递给我。 Please pass that pen to me.
2. 她递了一杯水给口渴的客人。 She handed a glass of water to the thirsty guest.
3. 他从口袋里掏出名片递给对方。 He took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to the other person.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, office, service

Tone: active

Do Say

• 递给我。(Pass it to me.)
• 把文件递过来。(Pass the document over.)

Don't Say

• '递'表示短距离传递——远距离投掷用'扔'或'抛'，不用'递' (递 means passing over a short distance — for throwing far, use 扔 or 抛, not 递)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic character: 辶 (walk/movement) indicates passing motion, 弟 is the phonetic component.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal