tíjiāo: 提交 - Submit, Hand in, Turn in

• Keywords: submit Chinese, hand in Chinese, turn in Chinese, 提交, tijiao, submit a report in Chinese, submit homework, submit an application, Chinese for “submit”, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to use the essential Chinese verb 提交 (tíjiāo), which means “to submit,” “to hand in,” or “to turn in.” This page explains its meaning, from submitting homework and work reports to clicking the “submit” button on a website. Discover how 提交 (tíjiāo) is a key word in modern academic, professional, and digital life in China, and learn how to use it correctly with practical examples and cultural context.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tíjiāo
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To formally present or hand in something (like a document, report, or application) to an authority or system for review or processing.
• In a Nutshell: 提交 (tíjiāo) is the go-to word for any situation where you're officially “turning something in.” Think of it as the action of transferring an item—and the responsibility for it—to someone else. Whether you're handing a physical paper to your teacher, emailing a final report to your boss, or clicking a button on a web form, 提交 is the word you need. It's a formal, procedural term that marks the completion of your part of a task.

• 提 (tí): This character means “to lift” or “to carry.” The radical on the left, 扌(shǒu), is the “hand” radical, indicating an action done with the hands. So, 提 visually represents lifting something up.
• 交 (jiāo): This character means “to hand over,” “to deliver,” or “to intersect.” It carries a strong sense of exchange or transfer from one party to another.

When combined, 提交 (tíjiāo) creates a vivid picture: you lift (提) up a document and hand it over (交). This simple combination perfectly captures the modern meaning of a formal submission.

While 提交 (tíjiāo) doesn't carry the deep cultural weight of a term like `关系 (guānxi)`, its usage reflects the importance of process and formality in Chinese society, particularly in bureaucratic, academic, and corporate settings. In Western culture, the word “submit” can sometimes carry a slight connotation of yielding to a higher power or authority (e.g., “to submit to someone's will”). 提交 (tíjiāo) is far more neutral and procedural. It's less about acknowledging hierarchy and more about completing a required step in a formal process. When you 提交 a report, you are fulfilling a procedural obligation. The focus is on the action of transfer itself—moving an item from your “to-do” list to the recipient's “inbox.” This reflects a cultural emphasis on clear, well-defined procedures and the proper flow of information.

提交 is an extremely common and practical word used across various domains of modern life. It is almost always used in a formal or semi-formal context.

This is one of the first contexts in which learners will encounter 提交. It's used for all kinds of academic submissions.

• 提交作业 (tíjiāo zuòyè): To submit homework
• 提交论文 (tíjiāo lùnwén): To submit a thesis/paper
• 提交申请 (tíjiāo shēnqǐng): To submit an application (for a school, a program, etc.)

In a professional environment, 提交 is used constantly for official documentation.

• 提交报告 (tíjiāo bàogào): To submit a report
• 提交方案 (tíjiāo fāng'àn): To submit a proposal/plan
• 提交辞职信 (tíjiāo cízhíxìn): To submit a letter of resignation

This is perhaps the most frequent usage today. Almost any website or app with a form will use 提交 for its “Submit” button.

• Clicking the 提交 button on a web form.
• 提交 code to a repository (e.g., on GitHub).
• 提交 a bug report to a software company.

• Example 1:
  • 请在周五前提交你的报告。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zài zhōuwǔ qián tíjiāo nǐ de bàogào.
  • English: Please submit your report before Friday.
  • Analysis: A very common and direct instruction you might hear from a manager or professor. It's a formal but standard request.
• Example 2:
  • 我刚刚在网上提交了签证申请。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gānggāng zài wǎngshàng tíjiāo le qiānzhèng shēnqǐng.
  • English: I just submitted the visa application online.
  • Analysis: This highlights the digital usage of 提交. The action is done “on the web” (在网上).
• Example 3:
  • 所有学生都必须提交一份课程反馈表。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu xuéshēng dōu bìxū tíjiāo yī fèn kèchéng fǎnkuì biǎo.
  • English: All students must submit a course feedback form.
  • Analysis: 必须 (bìxū) means “must,” emphasizing the mandatory nature of the submission.
• Example 4:
  • 你完成项目后，别忘了提交最终文件。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wánchéng xiàngmù hòu, bié wàngle tíjiāo zuìzhōng wénjiàn.
  • English: After you finish the project, don't forget to submit the final documents.
  • Analysis: A friendly but professional reminder. 别忘了 (bié wàngle) is “don't forget.”
• Example 5:
  • 他因为生病，申请延迟提交论文。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi shēngbìng, shēnqǐng yánchí tíjiāo lùnwén.
  • English: Because he was sick, he applied to delay the submission of his thesis.
  • Analysis: This shows 提交 being used as part of a compound action: “delay submission” (延迟提交).
• Example 6:
  • 填写完表格后，请点击“提交”按钮。
  • Pinyin: Tiánxiě wán biǎogé hòu, qǐng diǎnjī “tíjiāo” ànniǔ.
  • English: After you've filled out the form, please click the “Submit” button.
  • Analysis: The most literal digital usage, referring to the button itself. 点击 (diǎnjī) means “to click” and 按钮 (ànniǔ) means “button.”
• Example 7:
  • 我已经把修改后的方案提交给经理了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng bǎ xiūgǎi hòu de fāng'àn tíjiāo gěi jīnglǐ le.
  • English: I have already submitted the revised proposal to the manager.
  • Analysis: This uses the 把 (bǎ) structure to emphasize the object (the proposal) being acted upon. It highlights what was submitted.
• Example 8:
  • 提交申请的截止日期是明天下午五点。
  • Pinyin: Tíjiāo shēnqǐng de jiézhǐ rìqī shì míngtiān xiàwǔ wǔ diǎn.
  • English: The deadline for submitting applications is 5 PM tomorrow.
  • Analysis: Here, 提交申请 acts as a noun phrase: “the act of submitting an application.”
• Example 9:
  • 这个系统允许用户提交反馈和建议。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xìtǒng yǔnxǔ yònghù tíjiāo fǎnkuì hé jiànyì.
  • English: This system allows users to submit feedback and suggestions.
  • Analysis: Shows 提交 used in a technical or system description. 允许 (yǔnxǔ) means “to allow” or “to permit.”
• Example 10:
  • 在提交之前，请仔细检查所有信息。
  • Pinyin: Zài tíjiāo zhīqián, qǐng zǐxì jiǎnchá suǒyǒu xìnxī.
  • English: Before submitting, please carefully check all the information.
  • Analysis: This is a common warning or instruction found on forms and applications. 在…之前 (zài…zhīqián) means “before…”

• Mistake 1: Using 提交 for informal giving.
  • You would not use 提交 to give a book to a friend. It's too formal.
  • Incorrect: 我提交一本书给我的朋友。(Wǒ tíjiāo yī běn shū gěi wǒ de péngyou.)
  • Correct: 我给我的朋友一本书。(Wǒ gěi wǒ de péngyou yī běn shū.)
  • Reason: 提交 implies a formal process and a recipient who will review or process the item. For casual giving, use 给 (gěi).
• Mistake 2: Confusing 提交 (tíjiāo) with 上交 (shàngjiāo).
  • 上交 (shàngjiāo) also means “to submit,” but it more strongly emphasizes submitting up to a superior (上 means “up”). It's very common for homework or turning in found items to the police.
  • 提交 (tíjiāo) is more general and neutral. It is the standard term for digital submissions and can be used in most situations where 上交 is also correct.
  • Rule of thumb: When in doubt, 提交 is usually the safer and more versatile choice, especially in digital and general business contexts.
• Mistake 3: Confusing 提交 (tíjiāo) with 发送 (fāsòng).
  • 发送 (fāsòng) means “to send” or “to dispatch,” like an email or a text message. It describes the act of transmission.
  • 提交 (tíjiāo) describes the purpose of the transmission: for review, approval, or processing.
  • Example: 你可以发送一封电子邮件来提交你的简历。(Nǐ kěyǐ fāsòng yī fēng diànzǐ yóujiàn lái tíjiāo nǐ de jiǎnlì.) - “You can send an email to submit your resume.” Sending is the method; submitting is the purpose.

• 上交 (shàngjiāo) - A close synonym that emphasizes submitting “up” to a higher authority.
• 递交 (dìjiāo) - A more formal synonym, often used for very official documents like a diplomatic protest, credentials, or a resignation letter.
• 发送 (fāsòng) - To send (an email, a message). This is about transmission, while 提交 is about the formal purpose.
• 上传 (shàngchuán) - To upload. You often 上传 a file before you can 提交 a form.
• 报告 (bàogào) - Report. A common document that you 提交.
• 申请 (shēnqǐng) - Application. Another common item that you 提交.
• 交 (jiāo) - The root character, meaning “to hand over” or “to exchange.” It's more general than 提交. For example, 交朋友 (jiāo péngyou) means “to make friends.”
• 确认 (quèrèn) - To confirm. Often the button you press on a website after a successful 提交.