送行

• Pinyin: sòng xíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 送 = to escort; 行 = journey — to see someone off on a journey

Meaning

To see someone off; to bid farewell. Accompanying someone who is departing on a journey.

A traditional courtesy in Chinese culture. Can involve going to the airport, train station, or other departure point. Related expressions: 送行酒 (farewell banquet), 机场送行 (seeing off at the airport). The opposite is 接机/接站 (to pick someone up). Shows care and respect for the departing person.

Examples

1. 全家人都去机场为她送行。 The whole family went to the airport to see her off.
2. 同事们设宴为即将调走的领导送行。 Colleagues held a banquet to bid farewell to the departing leader.
3. 火车就要开了，送行的人都下车了。 The train is about to leave; those seeing off have all gotten off.

Usage Guide

Context: farewell, travel, social

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 明天我去车站给你送行。(I'll go to the station to see you off tomorrow.)
• 谢谢你特意来送行。(Thank you for coming specifically to see me off.)

Don't Say

• 短途出门不需要'送行' (You don't need 送行 for short trips — it's for more significant departures)

Origin & History

Verb-object compound: 送 (to accompany, escort) + 行 (journey, travel). To escort someone on their journey.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal