收货

You use it as a verb-object construction. You can say you are going to 收货. You can also use it as a status on an app. It is very flexible in short sentences. Usually, you use it when talking about logistics. It is the official way to say 'I got my stuff.'

Use it when the delivery driver calls your phone. Use it when you are checking your Taobao shipping status. It is perfect for telling your roommate you are busy. 'I need to stay home to 收货.' It works for business shipments too. If your office gets a new printer, you 收货.

Do not use it for receiving gifts from friends. That would sound like you are a warehouse. Use 收到礼物 instead. Avoid using it for receiving digital information or emails. It is strictly for physical, tangible goods. Don't use it for 'receiving' guests at a party either. That is a different kind of 'receiving' entirely.

China has the world's most intense delivery culture. Express delivery (快递) is a pillar of daily life. Because of this, 收货 has become a high-frequency word. There is even a 'Confirm Receipt' button (确认收货) on every app. Clicking it is a sign of trust between buyer and seller. It releases the payment to the shop owner. It is a digital handshake in the modern economy.

You will often hear 收货人, which means the 'consignee' or recipient. People also say 收货地址 for your shipping address. In casual chat, you might just say 到货了. This means 'the goods have arrived.' If you are unhappy, you might mention 退货, which means returning the goods. It is a whole ecosystem of vocabulary!