fāhuò: 发货 - To Ship Goods, To Dispatch

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• Summary: An essential term for modern life in China, 发货 (fāhuò) means “to ship goods” or “to dispatch an order.” It's the crucial step in any online purchase where the seller sends out your package. Understanding `fāhuò` is key to navigating Chinese e-commerce platforms like Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, allowing you to track your orders and communicate with sellers about when your items will be sent.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fāhuò
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object Compound (often functions as a single verb)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To send out or dispatch commercial goods.
• In a Nutshell: `发货` is the specific action a seller takes when they have packed your order and handed it over to the delivery company. It marks the official start of your package's journey to you. For anyone shopping online in China, seeing the order status change to “已发货 (yǐ fāhuò)“—already shipped—is a moment of relief and excitement.

• 发 (fā): This character's core meaning is “to send out,” “to issue,” or “to dispatch.” Think of sending a text message (`发短信 fā duǎnxìn`) or an email (`发邮件 fā yóujiàn`). It implies an action of initiation, of sending something from a source outwards.
• 货 (huò): This character means “goods,” “products,” or “commodities.” The radical on the bottom, `贝 (bèi)`, originally depicted a cowrie shell, which was used as currency in ancient China. Thus, characters with `贝` often relate to money, value, and trade.
• Combined Meaning: The logic is beautifully direct: `发 (to send out) + 货 (goods) = 发货 (to send out goods)`.

In China, `发货` is more than just a logistical step; it's a cornerstone of the modern e-commerce culture, which is defined by incredible speed and efficiency. The time it takes for a seller to `发货` is a critical measure of their service quality and reputation. Unlike in some Western countries where a 3-5 day processing time before shipping is common, Chinese consumers often expect sellers to `发货` within 24 hours, if not sooner. E-commerce giants like JD.com have built their brand on same-day or next-day delivery, making the speed of `发货` a major competitive battleground. For the average Chinese consumer, the process is an emotional journey: the excitement of placing an order (`下单`), the slight anxiety while waiting for the seller to ship (`等发货`), the relief of seeing the “shipped” notification (`已发货`), and the constant tracking of the package's progress (`查物流`). This entire cycle revolves around the pivotal moment of `发货`.

`发货` is used constantly in the context of buying and selling goods, both online and in traditional business.

• On E-commerce Apps (Taobao, JD.com, etc.):
  • You will see `发货` used as a status for your order.
  • 待发货 (dài fāhuò): Awaiting shipment. (You've paid, but the seller hasn't shipped yet).
  • 已发货 (yǐ fāhuò): Shipped. (The package is on its way).
  • 催发货 (cuī fāhuò): To urge/remind the seller to ship. Many apps have a dedicated “Urge Seller” button.
• In Conversation (Buyer to Seller):
  • It's very common for buyers to ask sellers directly about the shipping time.
  • “老板，什么时候发货?” (Lǎobǎn, shénme shíhou fāhuò?) - “Boss, when will you ship?”
• In Business-to-Business (B2B):
  • The term is used formally in contracts and communications regarding bulk shipments.
  • “我们将在收到全款后三天内发货。” (Wǒmen jiāng zài shōudào quánkuǎn hòu sān tiān nèi fāhuò.) - “We will dispatch the goods within three days of receiving full payment.”

• Example 1:
  • 亲，您的订单我们会在今天之内发货。
  • Pinyin: Qīn, nín de dìngdān wǒmen huì zài jīntiān zhī nèi fāhuò.
  • English: Dear, we will ship your order within the day.
  • Analysis: “亲 (qīn)” is a very common, friendly term used by online sellers, similar to “dear.” This is a standard customer service message.
• Example 2:
  • 请问，我昨天下的单，大概什么时候能发货？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, wǒ zuótiān xià de dān, dàgài shénme shíhou néng fāhuò?
  • English: Excuse me, for the order I placed yesterday, about when can you ship it?
  • Analysis: A polite and typical way for a buyer to inquire about their order's shipping time. “下单 (xiàdān)” means “to place an order.”
• Example 3:
  • 好消息！您的包裹已经发货了，请注意查收。
  • Pinyin: Hǎo xiāoxi! Nín de bāoguǒ yǐjīng fāhuò le, qǐng zhùyì cháshōu.
  • English: Good news! Your package has been shipped, please be ready to receive it.
  • Analysis: This is a classic automated notification or seller message. “查收 (cháshōu)” is a polite term meaning “to check and receive.”
• Example 4:
  • 都等了三天了，卖家怎么还没发货？
  • Pinyin: Dōu děngle sān tiān le, màijiā zěnme hái méi fāhuò?
  • English: I've already waited three days, how come the seller still hasn't shipped?
  • Analysis: Shows a buyer's impatience. The structure “都…了 (dōu…le)” emphasizes the length of time.
• Example 5:
  • 如果你明天再不发货，我就申请退款了。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ míngtiān zài bù fāhuò, wǒ jiù shēnqǐng tuìkuǎn le.
  • English: If you don't ship by tomorrow, I'm going to apply for a refund.
  • Analysis: This is a common threat from an unhappy customer. “申请退款 (shēnqǐng tuìkuǎn)” means “to apply for a refund.”
• Example 6:
  • 我们公司统一从上海仓库发货。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī tǒngyī cóng Shànghǎi cāngkù fāhuò.
  • English: Our company ships uniformly from the Shanghai warehouse.
  • Analysis: Used in a business context to explain the origin of the shipment. “仓库 (cāngkù)” means warehouse.
• Example 7:
  • 春节期间，很多快递公司不营业，所以我们暂时停止发货。
  • Pinyin: Chūnjié qījiān, hěn duō kuàidì gōngsī bù yíngyè, suǒyǐ wǒmen zànshí tíngzhǐ fāhuò.
  • English: During the Spring Festival period, many delivery companies are not open, so we are temporarily stopping shipments.
  • Analysis: Explains a common reason for shipping delays in China.
• Example 8:
  • 卖家承诺48小时内发货。
  • Pinyin: Màijiā chéngnuò sìshíbā xiǎoshí nèi fāhuò.
  • English: The seller promised to ship within 48 hours.
  • Analysis: “承诺 (chéngnuò)” means “to promise,” a key term in service agreements.
• Example 9:
  • 这批货太大了，我们需要分两次发货。
  • Pinyin: Zhè pī huò tài dà le, wǒmen xūyào fēn liǎng cì fāhuò.
  • English: This batch of goods is too large, we need to ship it in two separate deliveries.
  • Analysis: Shows how `发货` can be used with measure words like “次 (cì)” for “times.” “批 (pī)” is a measure word for batches of goods.
• Example 10:
  • 付款后，系统会自动提醒卖家发货。
  • Pinyin: Fùkuǎn hòu, xìtǒng huì zìdòng tíxǐng màijiā fāhuò.
  • English: After payment, the system will automatically remind the seller to ship.
  • Analysis: Describes the automated process on an e-commerce platform.

• `发货 (fāhuò)` vs. `寄 (jì)`: This is a crucial distinction.
  • `发货 (fāhuò)` is almost exclusively used by a seller or a business for commercial products. It implies a transaction.
  • `寄 (jì)` is a general-purpose verb for “to send” or “to mail.” You use it for personal items.
  • Correct: 我给你寄一个生日礼物。 (Wǒ gěi nǐ jì yī gè shēngrì lǐwù.) - I'm sending you a birthday present.
  • Incorrect: ~~我给你发货一个生日礼物。~~ (This sounds like you sold a birthday present to your friend.)
• `发货 (fāhuò)` vs. `运输 (yùnshū)`:
  • `发货` is the single action of the seller dispatching the goods (handing them to the courier).
  • `运输 (yùnshū)` is the entire, continuous process of transportation and logistics, usually handled by the delivery company.
  • Example: 卖家负责发货 (The seller is responsible for shipping it out), 快递公司负责运输 (The delivery company is responsible for transporting it).

• 包裹 (bāoguǒ) - Parcel, package. The physical item that is sent after `发货`.
• 快递 (kuàidì) - Express delivery service. The company (like SF Express or ZTO) that transports the package after `发货`.
• 运费 (yùnfèi) - Shipping fee. The cost associated with the shipping process.
• 收货 (shōuhuò) - To receive goods. The buyer's action, and the final goal of `发货`.
• 订单 (dìngdān) - An order. The digital record of a purchase that prompts the seller to `发货`.
• 物流 (wùliú) - Logistics. The entire system of supply chain management, of which `发货` is the first key step for the seller.
• 卖家 (màijiā) - Seller. The person or company responsible for `发货`.
• 买家 (mǎijiā) - Buyer. The person waiting for the seller to `发货`.
• 退货 (tuìhuò) - To return goods. The opposite process, where a buyer sends goods back to the seller.
• 查收 (cháshōu) - To check and receive. A polite, formal verb often used by sellers in the phrase “请注意查收” (please be ready to receive).