dìjiāo: 递交 - Submit, Hand in, Present (formally)

• Keywords: dijiao, 递交, submit in Chinese, hand in Chinese, deliver a document, present a report, Chinese for application, HSK 5 verb, formal Chinese verb, submit vs hand in.
• Summary: Learn the formal Chinese verb 递交 (dìjiāo), which means to formally submit, hand in, or present important documents. This page explains how `递交` is used for things like visa applications, official reports, and letters of resignation, contrasting it with more common verbs like `交 (jiāo)` and `给 (gěi)`. Discover its cultural significance and see practical examples to master its usage in official and academic contexts.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dìjiāo
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To formally submit, hand in, or present a document or object to an authority or official body.
• In a Nutshell: `递交` is the verb you use when you're not just “giving” something, but “officially submitting” it. Think of the serious, procedural act of handing your passport application to a consulate officer, turning in your final thesis to the university board, or presenting a formal proposal to a committee. It carries a weight of formality and officiality that simpler verbs lack.

• 递 (dì): This character means “to pass,” “to hand over,” or “to deliver.” The radical 辶 (chuò) is a pictograph of a foot, indicating movement or travel. So, `递` inherently involves the action of taking something from one place to another for the purpose of delivery.
• 交 (jiāo): This character means “to hand over,” “to exchange,” or “to intersect.” It originally depicted a person with crossed legs, symbolizing an intersection or exchange between two parties.
• When combined, 递交 (dìjiāo) literally means “to deliver and hand over.” This combination reinforces the idea of a formal, complete transfer of an item from one person or entity to another, where the recipient officially accepts it.

`递交` is a window into the importance of process, hierarchy, and formality in Chinese administrative, academic, and business culture. The act of “submitting” something is often seen as a formal acknowledgment of the recipient's authority and the official nature of the procedure. In a Western context, “submitting” an online form can feel like a simple, impersonal digital transaction. While `递交` can also be used for digital submissions (though `提交 (tíjiāo)` is more common), it retains a stronger flavor of respect and procedural correctness. The act of `递交`-ing a document signifies that you are formally entering a system, be it governmental, academic, or corporate, and are following its established rules. It's less about just “giving” and more about “presenting for official consideration.” This subtle emphasis highlights a cultural value placed on following the proper channels and showing deference to the established structure.

`递交` is almost exclusively used in formal situations. You will encounter it frequently in writing and formal speech related to bureaucracy, academics, and business.

• Bureaucracy and Legal Matters: Used for submitting visa applications, legal documents, official complaints, or evidence to a court.
• Academics: Used for handing in a thesis, a major research project, or a formal application for a program. Note that for regular homework, the simpler `交 (jiāo)` is used (e.g., `交作业 - jiāo zuòyè`).
• Business: Used for presenting a formal report to management, submitting a tender for a contract, or handing in a letter of resignation.

The connotation is neutral and procedural. It describes an action without adding emotional color. Using it for a casual exchange, like handing a pen to a friend, would sound strange and overly dramatic.

• Example 1:
  • 他昨天向大使馆递交了签证申请。
  • Pinyin: Tā zuótiān xiàng dàshǐguǎn dìjiāole qiānzhèng shēnqǐng.
  • English: He submitted his visa application to the embassy yesterday.
  • Analysis: A classic example of `递交` used in a bureaucratic context. The action is formal and directed towards an official institution (大使馆 - embassy).
• Example 2:
  • 所有候选人必须在截止日期前递交简历。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu hòuxuǎnrén bìxū zài jiézhǐ rìqī qián dìjiāo jiǎnlì.
  • English: All candidates must hand in their resumes before the deadline.
  • Analysis: This sentence is typical of instructions found in a job posting. `递交` emphasizes the formal requirement of the application process.
• Example 3:
  • 我们准备向董事会递交一份详细的商业计划书。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhǔnbèi xiàng dǒngshìhuì dìjiāo yī fèn xiángxì de shāngyè jìhuàshū.
  • English: We are preparing to submit a detailed business plan to the board of directors.
  • Analysis: Here, `递交` highlights the formality and importance of presenting a document to a high-level body (董事会 - board of directors).
• Example 4:
  • 她终于完成了毕业论文，并把它递交给了评审委员会。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhōngyú wánchéngle bìyè lùnwén, bìng bǎ tā dìjiāo gěile píngshěn wěiyuánhuì.
  • English: She finally finished her graduate thesis and submitted it to the review committee.
  • Analysis: This shows `递交` in an academic context for a very important document. The recipient is an official committee.
• Example 5:
  • 经过深思熟虑，他向公司递交了辞职信。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò shēnsīshúlǜ, tā xiàng gōngsī dìjiāole cízhíxìn.
  • English: After careful consideration, he submitted his letter of resignation to the company.
  • Analysis: Resigning is a formal act, and `递交` is the appropriate verb for handing in the official letter (辞职信).
• Example 6:
  • 反对党向国会递交了一份不信任动议。
  • Pinyin: Fǎnduìdǎng xiàng guóhuì dìjiāole yī fèn bù xìnrèn dòngyì.
  • English: The opposition party submitted a no-confidence motion to the parliament.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of `递交` in a high-level political and governmental context.
• Example 7:
  • 记者向联合国递交了关于该地区人权状况的报告。
  • Pinyin: Jìzhě xiàng liánhéguó dìjiāole guānyú gāi dìqū rénquán zhuàngkuàng de bàogào.
  • English: The journalist submitted a report on the human rights situation in the region to the United Nations.
  • Analysis: This shows the formal submission of information to a major international body.
• Example 8:
  • 您需要将所有必需的材料递交到三号窗口。
  • Pinyin: Nín xūyào jiāng suǒyǒu bìxū de cáiliào dìjiāo dào sān hào chuāngkǒu.
  • English: You need to hand in all the required materials at window number 3.
  • Analysis: A practical, instructional sentence you might hear or read in a government service center.
• Example 9:
  • 两国大使互相递交了国书。
  • Pinyin: Liǎng guó dàshǐ hùxiāng dìjiāole guóshū.
  • English: The ambassadors of the two countries presented their credentials to each other.
  • Analysis: This is an extremely formal diplomatic usage. `国书 (guóshū)` are letters of credence, and `递交` is the precise term for this official ceremony.
• Example 10:
  • 在递交申请之前，请仔细检查所有信息。
  • Pinyin: Zài dìjiāo shēnqǐng zhīqián, qǐng zǐxì jiǎnchá suǒyǒu xìnxī.
  • English: Before submitting the application, please carefully check all the information.
  • Analysis: This shows `递交` used as the action in a subordinate clause, a common grammatical structure.

• `递交` vs. `交` (jiāo): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • `交 (jiāo)` is a general-purpose “hand in.” It's perfect for routine, less formal tasks.
    • Correct: 我要交作业了。(Wǒ yào jiāo zuòyè le.) - I'm going to hand in my homework.
    • Incorrect/Awkward: 我要递交作业了。(Sounds overly dramatic, as if the homework were a state secret).
  • `递交 (dìjiāo)` is for significant, official items.
    • Correct: 我要递交我的毕业论文。(Wǒ yào dìjiāo wǒ de bìyè lùnwén.) - I'm going to submit my graduation thesis.
• `递交` vs. `提交` (tíjiāo): These are very close synonyms and often interchangeable in formal contexts. However, there's a slight nuance:
  • `提交 (tíjiāo)` is more strongly associated with digital submission. The “submit” button on a Chinese website almost always says `提交`. It emphasizes putting something forward for review or processing.
  • `递交 (dìjiāo)` can feel slightly more traditional, evoking the image of physically handing a document to a person or office. However, it's perfectly acceptable to use `递交` for electronic submissions in formal writing. For example, “请将您的电子版简历递交至… (Please submit your electronic resume to…)”. In this case, they are nearly identical.
• `递交` vs. `给` (gěi): `给` simply means “to give.” It is informal and carries no sense of procedure or officialdom.
  • Informal: 你能把那本书给我吗？(Nǐ néng bǎ nà běn shū gěi wǒ ma?) - Can you give me that book?
  • Formal: 您需要把申请表递交给前台。(Nín xūyào bǎ shēnqǐngbiǎo dìjiāo gěi qiántái.) - You need to submit the application form to the front desk.

• 提交 (tíjiāo) - A very close synonym, meaning “to submit,” especially common for online forms and digital files.
• 交 (jiāo) - A more general and less formal verb for “to hand in,” “to turn in,” or “to pay.”
• 上交 (shàngjiāo) - To hand up to a superior or authority. It explicitly highlights the hierarchical relationship.
• 申请 (shēnqǐng) - (n.) Application; (v.) to apply. This is frequently the object that gets `递交`-ed.
• 报告 (bàogào) - (n.) Report. Another common object of `递交`.
• 呈送 (chéngsòng) - A highly formal and respectful term for “to present” or “to submit” something to a person of high rank or honor. More formal than `递交`.
• 投递 (tóudì) - To deliver mail or packages. Used specifically in the context of postal services or couriers.