Sending and escorting with 送
送 means “to move a person or object to another place”, “to see off”, or “to send”.
Etymology
This kanji is a phono-semantic compound comprised of 辶 (movement radical, “to walk”) and 关 (phonetic component). The movement radical invokes imagery of traveling or going, while the phonetic component provides the sound (ソウ).
The meanings of sending and escorting are clear from this imagery of movement and travel. From these core meanings, the kanji extends to include transmitting (sending information), dispatching (sending goods), broadcasting (sending signals), and seeing off (escorting someone on departure).
Broadcasting and Transmission
放送 (Broadcast)
放送 means broadcasting audio or video to a public audience by television, radio, or the internet.
It combines 放 (send out) with 送 (send) to show content being sent outward to the public.
Nishika and Takagi’s class discusses what committees they plan to join.
- 生徒:
- 「次の時間委員会決めだよねー。」
- “Next up is deciding the committee schedule, right?”
- 生徒:
- 「私 何にしよー」
- “What should I pick?”
- 生徒:
- 「私 放送委員で好きな音楽流したいー。」
- “I want to play my favorite music as a member of the broadcasting committee.”
送信 (Transmission)
送信 means sending data, a message, or a signal to another location.
It combines 送 (send) with 信 (message) to show sending a message or communication.
Hiroto is having dinner with his friend Hideki. After Hideki reveals that his wife is going to have a baby, he looks down at his phone and sees a text message he needs to respond to.
- ヒデキ:
- 「ホイ 送信。」
- “And...sent.”
- ヒロト:
- 「スゴイなぁ ヒデキ。」
- “You're amazing, Hideki.”
Escorting and Transfer
送迎 (Picking up and dropping off)
送迎 means taking someone to a destination and picking them up, usually by car.
It combines 送 (send (off)) with 迎 (welcome) to show both seeing someone off and going to meet them.
After school, the girls’ basketball team walks to the location where they’re practicing for an upcoming match.
- 生徒:
- 「せめてバズで送迎してくれれば…」
- “If only they'd at least provide a bus to pick us up and drop us off”
- 生徒:
- 「徒歩圏内だからねぇ」
- “It's within walking distance, after all.”
Transport and Delivery
輸送 (Transport)
輸送 means transporting people or goods by road, rail, sea, or air.
It combines 輸 (transport) with 送 (send) to show transporting and sending goods or people in organized fashion.
Akari receives her first commission as an Undine gondolier, but rather than taking someone sightseeing, it’s for transporting glassware.
- 灯里:
- 「デリケートな商品だから輸送はのんびりした船が最適だって…」
- “Since it's a delicate item, a slow-moving gondola is the best for transport...”
郵送 (Mailing)
郵送 means sending a letter, document, or package by post.
It combines 郵 (post) with 送 (send) to show sending by mail.
Bocchi’s mother confirms with Bocchi that her exam results will be available online.
- ぼっち:
- 「お母さん合格発表経験した？」
- “Mom, have you ever been through the experience of waiting for exam results?”
- お母さん:
- 「もちろん したわよ」
- “Of course!”
- 「お母さんの時は郵送だったわよ」
- “Back in my day, it was sent by mail.”
- “Of course!”