sòngbié: 送别 - To See Someone Off, To Bid Farewell

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• Summary: Discover the deep meaning of 送别 (sòngbié), the Chinese term for the act of “seeing someone off” or “bidding farewell.” Far more than a simple goodbye, sòngbié is a significant social ritual, often involving accompanying a friend to the airport or train station, or hosting a farewell dinner. This guide breaks down its cultural importance, modern usage, and provides clear examples to help you understand this heartfelt expression of friendship and respect in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): sòngbié
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To see someone off; to bid farewell to a person who is departing on a journey.
• In a Nutshell: 送别 (sòngbié) isn't just the words you say when someone leaves; it's the physical and emotional act of accompanying them to their point of departure. It's reserved for significant separations, like a friend moving away or a family member going abroad. The act of sòngbié is a tangible demonstration of how much you value the relationship, carrying a sense of ceremony and heartfelt emotion that a simple “goodbye” lacks.

• 送 (sòng): This character's primary meaning is “to send,” “to deliver,” or “to escort.” Think of sending a package or escorting a guest. The radical 辶 (chuò) on the bottom means “to walk,” reinforcing the idea of movement and accompanying someone on their way.
• 别 (bié): This character means “to leave,” “to part,” or “to separate.” In other contexts, it can mean “don't” or “other,” but here its meaning of separation is key.
• When combined, 送别 (sòngbié) literally means “to escort someone as they separate.” The characters perfectly capture the essence of the action: you are physically present to send someone off as they embark on their journey of parting.

The concept of 送别 (sòngbié) is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, which places a strong emphasis on interpersonal relationships (关系, guānxi) and collective harmony. In Western cultures, a farewell might be a quick “goodbye” hug or a wave from the doorstep. The responsibility for the journey typically falls on the person leaving. In China, however, the farewell is a shared experience. The act of 送别—taking the time and effort to go to the train station or airport—is a powerful, non-verbal statement. It says: “Our relationship is important, and I will be with you until the last possible moment. Your departure matters to me.” Historically, this tradition is immortalized in countless classic poems and paintings. Scholars and officials would be escorted by their friends for miles, stopping at a pavilion (亭, tíng) to share wine and compose poetry as a final farewell. This ritualistic parting solidified bonds and acknowledged the sadness and uncertainty of separation in a time when travel was long and arduous. Failing to properly 送别 a close friend, respected elder, or important business partner can be interpreted as a lack of respect or a sign that the relationship is not valued. It is a social expectation that reinforces community ties even in the face of physical distance.

While the days of composing poetry at pavilions are mostly gone, the spirit of 送别 is very much alive in modern China.

• At the Airport/Train Station: This is the most common form of 送别. Friends and family will accompany the traveler all the way to the security checkpoint, often waiting until the person is out of sight.
  • “明天我开车去机场给你送别。” (Míngtiān wǒ kāichē qù jīchǎng gěi nǐ sòngbié.) - “I'll drive to the airport to see you off tomorrow.”
• Farewell Dinners (送别宴, sòngbié yàn): For colleagues leaving a job, students graduating, or friends moving to a new city, a farewell dinner is a standard practice. The event itself is a form of 送别.
  • “我们为他举办了一场送别晚宴。” (Wǒmen wèi tā jǔbànle yī chǎng sòngbié wǎnyàn.) - “We held a farewell dinner party for him.”

The connotation of 送别 is almost always heartfelt and tinged with a little sadness (离愁, lí chóu - the sorrow of parting). It's a formal or semi-formal act; you wouldn't use it for a casual, everyday departure.

• Example 1:
  • 朋友要去国外留学了，我们都去机场为他送别。
  • Pinyin: Péngyǒu yào qù guówài liúxué le, wǒmen dōu qù jīchǎng wèi tā sòngbié.
  • English: My friend is going to study abroad, so we all went to the airport to see him off.
  • Analysis: This is the quintessential example of 送别. It highlights the group effort and the significance of the departure (studying abroad).
• Example 2:
  • 车站里充满了送别的人群，到处都是拥抱和泪水。
  • Pinyin: Chēzhàn lǐ chōngmǎnle sòngbié de rénqún, dàochù dōu shì yōngbào hé lèishuǐ.
  • English: The station was filled with crowds seeing people off; there were hugs and tears everywhere.
  • Analysis: Here, 送别 is used to describe the people performing the action (“送别的人群” - the seeing-off crowd), painting a vivid picture of an emotional scene.
• Example 3:
  • 公司下周要为张经理办一个送别会。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī xiàzhōu yào wèi Zhāng jīnglǐ bàn yī ge sòngbié huì.
  • English: The company is holding a farewell party for Manager Zhang next week.
  • Analysis: This shows 送别 used in a business context. A “送别会” (sòngbié huì) is a farewell gathering or party.
• Example 4:
  • 你走的时候，记得告诉我，我好去给你送别。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zǒu de shíhòu, jìdé gàosù wǒ, wǒ hǎo qù gěi nǐ sòngbié.
  • English: When you leave, remember to tell me, so that I can go see you off.
  • Analysis: The phrase “好去” (hǎo qù) means “so that I can go.” This is a common and warm way to offer to see someone off.
• Example 5:
  • 不用特地来给我送别了，太麻烦你们了。
  • Pinyin: Búyòng tèdì lái gěi wǒ sòngbié le, tài máfan nǐmen le.
  • English: You don't need to make a special trip to see me off, it's too much trouble for you all.
  • Analysis: This is a polite way to decline a 送别, often said out of modesty, though the speaker usually still appreciates the offer.
• Example 6:
  • 古代诗人常常写诗来送别友人。
  • Pinyin: Gǔdài shīrén chángcháng xiě shī lái sòngbié yǒurén.
  • English: Ancient poets often wrote poems to bid farewell to their friends.
  • Analysis: This sentence refers to the historical and cultural significance of 送别.
• Example 7:
  • 这首歌是写送别场景的，听了让人有点伤感。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē shì xiě sòngbié chǎngjǐng de, tīng le ràng rén yǒudiǎn shānggǎn.
  • English: This song is about a farewell scene; listening to it makes people feel a bit sad.
  • Analysis: 送别 can describe a theme or scene (“送别场景” - sòngbié chǎngjǐng) in art, music, or literature.
• Example 8:
  • 爸爸妈妈送别儿子去上大学，眼里满是不舍。
  • Pinyin: Bàba māma sòngbié érzi qù shàng dàxué, yǎn lǐ mǎn shì bù shě.
  • English: Mom and Dad saw their son off to college, their eyes filled with reluctance to part.
  • Analysis: This illustrates a common family scenario where 送别 is a very emotional moment. “不舍” (bù shě) perfectly captures the feeling of not wanting to let go.
• Example 9:
  • 我们在长亭送别，约定他日再会。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zài chángtíng sòngbié, yuēdìng tārì zàihuì.
  • English: We bade farewell at the long-pavilion, promising to meet again someday.
  • Analysis: This sentence has a more literary and classical feel, evoking the ancient tradition of 送别. “长亭” (chángtíng) is a classic motif in farewell poetry.
• Example 10:
  • 感谢大家的送别，我会想念你们的。
  • Pinyin: Gǎnxiè dàjiā de sòngbié, wǒ huì xiǎngniàn nǐmen de.
  • English: Thank you all for seeing me off, I will miss you.
  • Analysis: This is something the departing person might say to the group that has come to see them off. Here, 送别 functions as a noun (“your act of seeing me off”).

• `送别 (sòngbié)` vs. `再见 (zàijiàn)`: This is the most critical distinction for a learner.
  • `再见 (zàijiàn)` means “goodbye” (literally “see again”). It's a parting phrase you say to anyone at the end of a normal meeting, workday, or phone call.
  • `送别 (sòngbié)` is not a phrase you say. It is a verb describing the entire action of formally seeing someone off for a long or permanent departure.
  • Incorrect Usage: Saying “送别!” to your coworker as you leave the office.
  • Why it's wrong: This would sound incredibly dramatic and out of place, as if your coworker were about to move to another country forever. The correct and normal thing to say is “再见!” or “明天见!” (míngtiān jiàn - see you tomorrow).
• `送别` is an action, not just words: You cannot 送别 someone over the phone. The term implies your physical presence and the effort of accompanying them. The verbal part of the farewell is better described by `告别 (gàobié)`.

• 告别 (gàobié) - To say goodbye; to take one's leave. This can refer to just the verbal act of saying farewell, making it more general than 送别.
• 欢送 (huānsòng) - To give a warm send-off. The character `欢 (huān)` means “happy” or “joyous,” so this term is used for positive departures, like a promotion, retirement, or a successful project completion.
• 送行 (sòngxíng) - To see someone off on a journey. A very close synonym to 送别 and often used interchangeably. 送行 might focus slightly more on the “journey” (行) aspect.
• 饯行 (jiànxíng) - To give a farewell dinner or drink. This is a more specific, formal, and slightly literary term for the act of treating someone to a meal before they depart.
• 送别宴 (sòngbié yàn) - A farewell banquet or feast. The specific event where the act of `饯行` or `送别` takes place. `宴 (yàn)` means banquet.
• 离别 (líbié) - Parting; separation (noun or verb). This is the general state or act of separating. 送别 is the ritual one person performs for another during a 离别.
• 再见 (zàijiàn) - Goodbye. The standard, everyday term for parting, used when you expect to see the person again. It is the direct contrast to the ceremony of 送别.