Translation and Meaning of: 送る - okuru

The Japanese word 送る (おくる, okuru) is an essential verb for anyone learning the language. Its main meaning is "to send" or "to give," but its use goes beyond the literal sense, encompassing emotional and cultural contexts. In this article, we will explore everything from the writing of the kanji to practical examples of how this word appears in Japanese everyday life. If you want to understand how to use it correctly or discover curiosities about its origin, keep reading!

Meaning and use of 送る

"送る" is a common verb in Japanese, often used for actions such as sending a letter (手紙を送る), sending an email (メールを送る), or even dispatching a package. However, it also appears in more subtle situations, such as "sending someone home" (家まで送る) or "accompanying a person part of the way." This versatility makes it a useful word in various conversations.

It is worth noting that, in emotional contexts, 送る can take on deeper nuances. For example, it is used in funeral ceremonies to express the act of "saying goodbye" to someone who has left. This cultural layer shows how the Japanese language connects everyday actions to feelings and traditions.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 送る is composed of two elements: the radical 辶 (which indicates movement) and the component 关 (which suggests the idea of “passing” or “transferring”). Together, they reinforce the sense of “sending” or “making something go forward.” This combination is not random—it reflects the logic behind many kanjis, where radicals and components come together to create precise meanings.

According to the Kangorin dictionary, one of the most respected in the study of kanji, 送る has ancient origins in Chinese writing, later adapted by Japanese. The pronunciation "okuru" is unique to Japan, while in China the same character is read differently. This difference is common in many kanji, which have evolved distinctly in each culture.

Tips for memorizing and using 送る

An effective way to remember 送る is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of actions like "sending a message" or "dispatching a gift"—these are direct uses that help to memorize the word. Another tip is to create simple sentences, like "友達にプレゼントを送る" (send a gift to a friend), that mix basic vocabulary with the verb.

For those who use apps like Anki, including 送る on cards with everyday examples can speed up learning. A useful fact: this verb frequently appears in dramas and animes, especially in scenes involving farewells or long-distance communication. Paying attention to these contexts helps to better understand its nuances.

The concept of "送る" in Japanese culture

In Japan, 送る (okuru) is not limited to sending objects. In festivals like Obon, families use lanterns to "send" the spirits of their ancestors back to their world—a tradition called 灯籠流し (tōrō nagashi). This type of use shows how the word is connected to important rituals in Japanese society.

Furthermore, in companies, it is common to hear expressions like "書類を送ってください" (please send the documents), highlighting its presence in the professional environment. This variety of applications makes 送る an essential term for anyone wanting to master Japanese at different levels, from casual to formal.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 送る

• 送る - dictionary form
• 送ります - polite form
• 送らない - negative form
• 送った - past form
• 送れる - potential form

Synonyms and similar words

• 送信する (sōshin suru) - Send (usually related to messages or information)
• 送り出す (okuri dasu) - Send; dispatch (out)
• 送る (okuru) - Send; to send (general)
• 送付する (sōfu suru) - Send (documents or objects, formal)
• 送り返す (okuri kaesu) - Return; send back
• 送り届ける (okuri tokeru) - Deliver (to someone, focusing on the delivery)
• 送り込む (okuri komu) - Send inside (to a specific place)
• 送り出し (okuri dashi) - Dispatch; act of sending (noun form of the verb)
• 送り手 (okuri te) - Sender; who sends
• 送り主 (okuri nushi) - Sender; owner of the shipment (focusing on possession)

送る

Romaji: okuru
Kana: おくる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: send (one thing); dispatch; take or follow (a person somewhere); say goodbye (of a person); spend a period of time; Live a life.

Meaning in English: to send (a thing);to dispatch;to take or escort (a person somewhere);to see off (a person);to spend a period of time;to live a life

Definition: To transfer something from one place to another.

Example Sentences - (送る) okuru

See below some example sentences:

電報を送ります。

Denpou wo okurimasu

I will send a telegram.

I will send a telegram.

• 彼 (kare) - he (personal pronoun)
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 窓 (mado) - window
• に (ni) - Destination particle
• 手 (te) - HAND
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 差し伸べた (sashino beta) - Extended (verb)

彼女に見舞いを送りました。

Kanojo ni mimai o okurimashita

I sent her a visit.

I sent a visit to her.

• 彼女 - "girlfriend"
• に - particle indicating the target of the action ("for" the girlfriend)
• 見舞い - "visit" or "gift for a visit"
• を - particle indicating the direct object of the action (he sent "the visit" or "the visiting gift" to his girlfriend)
• 送りました - "sent"

彼女を空港まで見送った。

Kanojo wo kuukou made miokutta

I accompanied her to the airport.

I saw her at the airport.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 空港 (kuukou) - It means "airport" in Japanese.
• まで (made) - particle that indicates a limit or endpoint in Japanese
• 見送った (miokutta) - verb that means "to accompany to the exit" in Japanese, in the past

彼女を見送りました。

Kanojo wo misokuri mashita

I accompanied her to the station.

I forgot it.

• 彼女 - "kanojo" means "girlfriend" or "she"
• を - object particle
• 見送りました - "miokurimashita" means "saying goodbye to someone"

普通の人生を送りたいです。

Futsū no jinsei o okuritai desu

I want to live an ordinary life.

I want to live a normal life.

• 普通の - adjective meaning "normal"
• 人生 - substantive that means "life"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 送りたい - Verb in the desiderative form that means "want to send"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and respectful form of the sentence

私たちは生き生きとした人生を送りたいです。

Watashitachi wa ikiiki to shita jinsei o okuritai desu

We want to live a lively life.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 生き生きとした - "Vibrant" or "lively" in Japanese.
• 人生を - "Life" in Japanese
• 送りたいです - "We want to send" in Japanese.

船便で荷物を送ります。

Funabin de nimotsu wo okurimasu

I will send the luggage by maritime freight.

Send your luggage browsing.

• 船便 - Maritime transport
• で - particle that indicates the means of transportation used
• 荷物 - luggage, cargo
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 送ります - send, dispatch

葉書を送ります。

Hagaki wo okurimasu

I will send a postcard.

I will send a postcard.

• 葉書 - postcard
• を - object particle
• 送ります - submit

観客は熱狂的に拍手を送った。

Kankyaku wa nekkyouteki ni hakushu o okuttta

The audience applauded enthusiastically.

• 観客 (kankyaku) - Audience, crowd
• は (wa) - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "public"
• 熱狂的に (nekkyouteki ni) - enthusiastically, fervently
• 拍手 (hakushu) - applause
• を (wo) - direct object particle, indicates that "applause" is the direct object of the action "send"
• 送った (okutta) - sent, sent

豊かな人生を送りたいです。

Yutaka na jinsei wo okuritai desu

I want to live an abundant life.

I want to live a rich life.

• 豊かな - rich, abundant
• 人生 - life
• を - direct object particle
• 送りたい - to want to send, to wish
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense