签收

You use it as a verb. Usually, the object is a package (快递) or a document (文件). You can say "I signed for it" or ask "Has it been signed for yet?" It is a very active word. It implies the transition of ownership from the courier to you. It’s the moment of truth where that gadget you ordered finally becomes yours.

Use it whenever a delivery is involved. If you are at the office, the receptionist might tell you a package is waiting to be signed for. If you are tracking a parcel on an app, you will see the status change to 已签收 (already signed for). It’s also used in business for official letters. If you're texting a roommate, you might ask, "Can you 签收 my milk tea delivery?"

Don't use this for just picking up a pen or a gift from a friend's hand. It implies a level of formality or a tracking process. You wouldn't 签收 a piece of candy someone gives you. Also, don't confuse it with 签字, which just means to sign a signature on anything, like a contract or a piece of art. 签收 specifically requires that you are receiving something.

China has the world's most intense delivery culture. Because of apps like Taobao and Meituan, 签收 has become a daily ritual for millions. In the past, you needed a physical stamp or a fancy signature. Now, it's often a digital click. There is even a romanticized version where people use 签收 metaphorically, like "signing for" a heart or a person’s love, though that’s a bit cheesy!

You will often see 本人签收 (signed by recipient in person). This is common for expensive items like iPhones. Another one is 代签, which means someone else signed for you. If you see 拒收, it means you refused to sign because the box was crushed or it wasn't what you ordered. Knowing these variations will save you a lot of stress at the apartment gate.