寄
gei³
The Cantonese word for "send" is 寄 (gei³).
The term 寄 is specifically used when you are sending physical items through a postal service or a courier, such as letters or packages.
Meaning: make something go somewhere (verb)
Which one should you use?
While the English word "send" can apply to both physical objects and digital messages, 寄 is primarily used for physical goods sent via mail. For the act of submitting formal documents, reports or applications, the term 提交 is used instead. To express sending someone to a specific place or assigning a task, the informal term 派 is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the action of sending has been completed, you can add the particle 咗 after the verb, forming 寄咗 (sent).
How do you pronounce it?
gei³
Did you know?
- The word 寄 is used in the phrase 寄情, which means 'to channel' or 'deposit' one's emotions into a hobby or a piece of art. It suggests sending your feelings into an external object to find solace.
- The word 寄 is conceptually linked to the idea of 'temporary residence' in classical roots. This is why it is used for both mailing a letter and the biological act of parasitism in 寄生.
- The word 寄 also appears in the term 寄宿, which means 'to board' or 'stay as a lodger'. It frames the act of staying at a hostel or dormitory as 'sending' oneself to live there temporarily.
Examples in context
- 唔該寄本目錄俾我。Please send me a catalogue.This sentence uses 寄 to request a catalogue.Tatoeba #4675927 by kaenif, translation #63704 by CK
- 佢一封信都無寄過嚟。She didn't send me a single letter.This sentence uses 寄 to describe the lack of letters sent.Tatoeba #388358 by nickyeow, translation #435248 by aliene
- 你寄咗幾多張聖誕卡俾人呀？How many Christmas cards did you send?This sentence uses 寄 to ask about the quantity of Christmas cards sent.Tatoeba #5763168 by nickyeow, translation #5705363 by CK
- 我派人去買食物。I'll send someone to buy food.
- 佢今日會送貨黎。He will deliver the goods today.
- 寄件To send a parcel
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about sending a gift.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit你寄咗件禮物俾佢未呀？nei5 gei3 zo2 gin6 lai5 mat6 bei2 keoi5 mei6 aa3?Have you sent the gift to him yet?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我尋日先寄，應該快啲到。ngo5 cam4 jat6 sin1 gei3, jing1 goi1 faai3 di1 dou3.I just sent it yesterday, it should arrive soon.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit你係用快遞寄㗎？nei5 hai6 jung6 faai3 dai6 gei3 gaa3?Did you send it via express delivery?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan係，我想快啲寄到。hai6, ngo5 soeng2 faai3 di1 gei3 dou3.Yes, I wanted to send it and have it arrive quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “send” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
