Sending packages in China is part of daily life for many people. Students, office workers, families, and online shoppers regularly use delivery services for documents, clothing, electronics, gifts, and food. Express delivery companies are fast and widely available, and many apartment compounds have package lockers or pickup stations. Understanding basic Chinese expressions related to shipping and mail makes communication much easier.
Whether mailing documents at a delivery counter, confirming an address, receiving a notification message, or asking about shipping fees, practical Chinese vocabulary can help reduce confusion. Delivery workers often call customers directly, and pickup instructions are usually written in Chinese. Knowing common phrases can make everyday situations smoother and more comfortable.
Common Delivery Services in China
China has many express delivery companies. You may hear names such as SF Express (顺丰, shùn fēng), ZTO (中通, zhōng tōng), YTO (圆通, yuán tōng), and JD Delivery (京东快递, jīng dōng kuài dì). Packages are usually called 快递 (kuài dì), which means express delivery.
Example sentences:
我的快递到了吗？(wǒ de kuài dì dào le ma)- Has my package arrived?
我今天要寄一个包裹。(wǒ jīn tiān yào jì yí gè bāo guǒ)- I want to send a package today.
请问附近有快递站吗？(qǐng wèn fù jìn yǒu kuài dì zhàn ma)- Is there a delivery station nearby?
这个包裹很重要。(zhè ge bāo guǒ hěn zhòng yào)- This package is very important.
快递员已经给我打电话了。(kuài dì yuán yǐ jīng gěi wǒ dǎ diàn huà le)- The delivery worker already called me.
我要去取快递。(wǒ yào qù qǔ kuài dì)- I am going to pick up my package.
Asking About Shipping Services
At delivery counters, staff may ask about the destination, package contents, weight, and preferred delivery speed.
Example sentences:
请问寄到北京多少钱？(qǐng wèn jì dào běi jīng duō shǎo qián)- How much does it cost to send this to Beijing?
可以今天寄出去吗？(kě yǐ jīn tiān jì chū qù ma)- Can it be shipped out today?
大概几天能到？(dà gài jǐ tiān néng dào)- About how many days will it take to arrive?
我要寄国际快递。(wǒ yào jì guó jì kuài dì)- I want to send international express mail.
请帮我称一下重量。(qǐng bāng wǒ chēng yí xià zhòng liàng)- Please help me weigh it.
这个包裹需要签收吗？(zhè ge bāo guǒ xū yào qiān shōu ma)- Does this package require a signature?
Writing Addresses in Chinese
Chinese addresses are usually written from large locations to smaller details. They often include province, city, district, road name, building number, apartment number, and postal code.
Example sentences:
请写一下你的地址。(qǐng xiě yí xià nǐ de dì zhǐ)- Please write your address.
这是我的收货地址。(zhè shì wǒ de shōu huò dì zhǐ)- This is my delivery address.
请不要写错电话号码。(qǐng bú yào xiě cuò diàn huà hào mǎ)- Please do not write the phone number incorrectly.
邮编是多少？(yóu biān shì duō shǎo)- What is the postal code?
请写清楚楼号。(qǐng xiě qīng chu lóu hào)- Please write the building number clearly.
我的地址改了。(wǒ de dì zhǐ gǎi le)- My address has changed.
Receiving Calls from Delivery Workers
Delivery workers in China often call before arriving. These conversations are usually short and direct.
Example sentences:
您好，您的快递到了。(nín hǎo, nín de kuài dì dào le)- Hello, your package has arrived.
您现在在家吗？(nín xiàn zài zài jiā ma)- Are you at home now?
我马上下来。(wǒ mǎ shàng xià lái)- I will come downstairs right away.
请放在门口吧。(qǐng fàng zài mén kǒu ba)- Please leave it at the door.
我现在不方便接电话。(wǒ xiàn zài bú fāng biàn jiē diàn huà)- It is not convenient for me to answer the phone now.
可以晚一点送吗？(kě yǐ wǎn yì diǎn sòng ma)- Can you deliver it a bit later?
Picking Up Packages from Delivery Stations
Many apartment compounds and neighborhoods have package pickup lockers or delivery collection stations.
Example sentences:
请问取件码是多少？(qǐng wèn qǔ jiàn mǎ shì duō shǎo)- What is the pickup code?
我的包裹在几号柜子？(wǒ de bāo guǒ zài jǐ hào guì zi)- Which locker is my package in?
我没有收到短信。(wǒ méi yǒu shōu dào duǎn xìn)- I did not receive the text message.
这个快递不是我的。(zhè ge kuài dì bú shì wǒ de)- This package is not mine.
我来拿包裹。(wǒ lái ná bāo guǒ)- I came to collect my package.
可以帮我查一下吗？(kě yǐ bāng wǒ chá yí xià ma)- Can you help me check?
Sending Documents and Important Items
Students and office workers often send contracts, passports, certificates, and application papers through express services.
Example sentences:
这里面是文件。(zhè lǐ miàn shì wén jiàn)- There are documents inside.
请小心一点。(qǐng xiǎo xīn yì diǎn)- Please handle it carefully.
我要加急寄送。(wǒ yào jiā jí jì sòng)- I want express priority shipping.
这个需要保价吗？(zhè ge xū yào bǎo jià ma)- Does this need insurance coverage?
文件不能弄湿。(wén jiàn bù néng nòng shī)- The documents cannot get wet.
请确认一下收件人。(qǐng què rèn yí xià shōu jiàn rén)- Please confirm the recipient.
Using the Post Office in China
Traditional post offices are still useful for letters, official paperwork, and international mail. The Post Office (邮局, yóu jú) may also sell envelopes, stamps, and packaging materials.
Example sentences:
我要买邮票。(wǒ yào mǎi yóu piào)- I want to buy stamps.
请问国际邮件在哪里办理？(qǐng wèn guó jì yóu jiàn zài nǎ lǐ bàn lǐ)- Where can I process international mail?
这个信封多少钱？(zhè ge xìn fēng duō shǎo qián)- How much is this envelope?
我要寄一封信。(wǒ yào jì yì fēng xìn)- I want to send a letter.
可以追踪邮件吗？(kě yǐ zhuī zōng yóu jiàn ma)- Can the mail be tracked?
我要填写表格吗？(wǒ yào tián xiě biǎo gé ma)- Do I need to fill out a form?
Understanding Delivery Notifications
Delivery notifications are usually sent through text messages or apps. These messages often contain pickup codes, locker numbers, or delivery times.
Example sentences:
您的快递已签收。(nín de kuài dì yǐ qiān shōu)- Your package has been signed for.
包裹正在派送中。(bāo guǒ zhèng zài pài sòng zhōng)- The package is out for delivery.
请及时取件。(qǐng jí shí qǔ jiàn)- Please collect your package promptly.
快递已经放进柜子了。(kuài dì yǐ jīng fàng jìn guì zi le)- The package has been placed in the locker.
系统显示已经送达。(xì tǒng xiǎn shì yǐ jīng sòng dá)- The system shows the package has been delivered.
快递员联系不上您。(kuài dì yuán lián xì bú shàng nín)- The delivery worker could not contact you.
Handling Problems with Deliveries
Sometimes packages arrive late, become damaged, or are delivered to the wrong location. Knowing polite Chinese expressions helps resolve problems calmly.
Example sentences:
我的包裹还没到。(wǒ de bāo guǒ hái méi dào)- My package has not arrived yet.
这个箱子坏了。(zhè ge xiāng zi huài le)- This box is damaged.
里面的东西少了。(lǐ miàn de dōng xi shǎo le)- Something inside is missing.
快递送错地方了。(kuài dì sòng cuò dì fang le)- The package was delivered to the wrong place.
我想投诉一下。(wǒ xiǎng tóu sù yí xià)- I would like to make a complaint.
请帮我联系快递员。(qǐng bāng wǒ lián xì kuài dì yuán)- Please help me contact the delivery worker.
Delivery Culture in Daily Life
Online shopping is extremely common in China, and many people receive packages almost every day. Delivery workers move quickly, especially in busy cities. Apartment gates, convenience stores, and pickup shelves often become temporary package storage areas.
In many neighborhoods, delivery workers may leave packages with security guards or in smart lockers if residents are unavailable. Mobile apps such as WeChat (微信, wēi xìn) and Alipay (支付宝, zhī fù bǎo) frequently send pickup notifications and delivery updates.
Because phone calls from delivery workers are usually brief, understanding key Chinese phrases can greatly improve communication. Even simple replies such as “我马上下来” (wǒ mǎ shàng xià lái)- I am coming downstairs right away, can make daily interactions smoother and more efficient.
Useful Expressions for Everyday Shipping Situations
Example sentences:
请把包裹放在前台。(qǐng bǎ bāo guǒ fàng zài qián tái)- Please leave the package at the reception desk.
这个地址很难找吗？(zhè ge dì zhǐ hěn nán zhǎo ma)- Is this address difficult to find?
我需要寄回家。(wǒ xū yào jì huí jiā)- I need to send it back home.
包裹什么时候到？(bāo guǒ shén me shí hou dào)- When will the package arrive?
请给我一个运单号。(qǐng gěi wǒ yí gè yùn dān hào)- Please give me a tracking number.
我要检查一下里面的东西。(wǒ yào jiǎn chá yí xià lǐ miàn de dōng xi)- I want to check the items inside.
Delivery Vocabulary
- 快递 (kuài dì)- express delivery
- 包裹 (bāo guǒ)- package
- 地址 (dì zhǐ)- address
- 签收 (qiān shōu)- sign for a delivery
- 邮局 (yóu jú)- post office
- 邮票 (yóu piào)- stamp
- 运单号 (yùn dān hào)- tracking number
