捎

• Pinyin: shāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 捎 = 扌(carry by hand) + 肖 (phonetic component)

Meaning

To bring along; to carry for someone; to pass on (a message or item) as a favour.

Implies doing something in passing or as a side task — carrying a message, delivering a gift, or bringing something for someone while travelling. Casual and helpful connotation.

Examples

1. 你去超市的时候顺便捎几个苹果回来吧。 When you go to the supermarket, could you pick up a few apples for me?
2. 他出差时给同事捎来了当地的特产。 When he went on a business trip, he brought back some local specialties for his coworkers.
3. 请帮我捎个口信给她，就说我晚点到。 Please pass along a message to her—tell her I’ll be there a little later.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, favour-doing, travel

Tone: friendly

Do Say

• 你去北京出差，能帮我捎一盒稻香村糕点吗？(You're going to Beijing on business — could you bring back a box of Daoxiangcun pastries for me?)
• 麻烦你捎句话给他，让他明天早点来。(Please pass on a message to him — ask him to come a little earlier tomorrow.)

Don't Say

• 用捎代替正式邮寄或快递 — 捎 implies casual, in-person carrying, not formal delivery

Origin & History

Phonosemantic compound: 扌(hand radical) + 肖 (phonetic) — to carry by hand in passing

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal