快递

The Chinese word 快递 (kuàidì) for "express delivery" is a compound of two characters: 快 (kuài), meaning "fast," and 递 (dì), meaning "to deliver." The term "express delivery" refers to a premium delivery service that offers faster delivery times than standard shipping methods.The character 快 (kuài) has a long history in Chinese, dating back to the oracle bone script of the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). The original form of the character depicted a person running with a staff in hand, symbolizing speed and agility. Over time, the character evolved into its current form, which is composed of the radical 辶 (chuò), meaning "to walk," and the phonetic component 快 (kuài).The character 递 (dì) also has a long history in Chinese, dating back to the oracle bone script of the Shang dynasty. The original form of the character depicted a hand holding a bamboo slip, symbolizing the act of delivering a message. Over time, the character evolved into its current form, which is composed of the radical 手 (shǒu), meaning "hand," and the phonetic component 递 (dì).When combined, the characters 快 (kuài) and 递 (dì) form the compound word 快递 (kuàidì), meaning "express delivery." This term is used to describe a premium delivery service that offers faster delivery times than standard shipping methods. Express delivery services are often used for time-sensitive items or for items that need to be delivered quickly for other reasons.