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 refers to the simultaneous transmission and delivery of information (such as video, audio, and text) to an unspecified audience via television, radio, the Internet, and other media.
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 refers to the act of “sending” information, signals, data, letters, and the like to a specific destination or a distant 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 refers to the act of taking people or animals to their destination by car or other means, or conversely, going to a specified location to pick them up.
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 refers to the general act of moving people or goods from one place to another. It includes the act of transporting them to their destination using trucks, trains, ships, and aircraft.
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 refers to the act of sending letters, packages, documents, and other items to a recipient’s address using the postal service.
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!”