yóufèi: 邮费 - Postage, Shipping Fee

• Keywords: 邮费, youfei, postage in Chinese, shipping fee in Chinese, mail fee, delivery cost, China Post, Taobao shipping, what is postage in Mandarin, 包邮, 包邮费, 快递费
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 邮费 (yóufèi), which means “postage” or “shipping fee.” This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in the age of Taobao and e-commerce, and practical use. Understand how to ask about shipping costs, negotiate for free shipping (包邮 - bāo yóu), and differentiate it from similar terms, with dozens of practical example sentences for beginner and intermediate learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yóufèi
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The fee or cost for mailing or shipping an item.
• In a Nutshell: 邮费 (yóufèi) is the direct and most common word for “postage” or “shipping fee” in Mandarin Chinese. It's a straightforward term you'll encounter constantly, from sending a postcard at the post office (邮局) to, more frequently, checking out on an online shopping app like Taobao. It's the cost you pay to get something from point A to point B.

• 邮 (yóu): This character means “post” or “mail.” It's composed of ⻏ (a variant of 邑, yì), which relates to a city or place, and 垂 (chuí). Think of it as the character representing the entire postal system and the act of mailing. You see it in key words like 邮局 (yóujú - post office) and 邮票 (yóupiào - stamp).
• 费 (fèi): This character means “fee,” “cost,” or “expense.” The radical 贝 (bèi) originally depicted a cowrie shell, which was used as an early form of currency in ancient China. Therefore, characters with 贝 often relate to money. You see it in words like 学费 (xuéfèi - tuition fee) and浪费 (làngfèi - to waste).
• Combined Meaning: The logic is simple and direct: 邮 (mail) + 费 (fee) = 邮费 (postage/mail fee).

While “postage” in the West might evoke images of stamps and post offices, 邮费 in modern China is inextricably linked to the country's colossal e-commerce culture. For hundreds of millions of consumers, 邮费 is a daily consideration. The most significant cultural concept related to 邮费 is 包邮 (bāo yóu), which means “free shipping” (literally “to wrap up the postage”). In the hyper-competitive Chinese online marketplace (Taobao, JD.com, Pinduoduo), whether an item is 包邮 is a critical factor for buyers. It's not just a marketing perk as it often is in the West; it's a baseline expectation for many products. Shoppers will frequently abandon a cart or message a seller directly to ask, “可以包邮吗？ (Kěyǐ bāo yóu ma? - Can you include free shipping?)” This negotiation is a standard part of the online shopping experience. Furthermore, many “free shipping” offers exclude remote regions like Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia, leading to the common phrase “偏远地区不包邮 (piānyuǎn dìqū bù bāo yóu - free shipping not available for remote areas).”

You will use 邮费 in two main scenarios:

• Online Shopping: This is the most common context. You'll see the 邮费 listed at checkout. You might ask a seller questions about it before buying.
  • “邮费多少钱？” (Yóufèi duōshǎo qián?) - “How much is the shipping fee?”
  • “这个价格包邮费吗？” (Zhège jiàgé bāo yóufèi ma?) - “Does this price include the shipping fee?”
• At the Post Office (邮局) or with a Courier (快递): When you're physically sending a package or letter, the clerk will calculate the 邮费 based on weight, destination, and speed.
  • “寄到美国的邮费是多少？” (Jì dào Měiguó de yóufèi shì duōshǎo?) - “What's the postage to send this to the USA?”

The term is neutral and used in both formal and informal situations.

• Example 1:
  • 这件衣服的邮费是十块钱。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu de yóufèi shì shí kuài qián.
  • English: The shipping fee for this piece of clothing is 10 RMB.
  • Analysis: A simple, direct statement of cost. “块 (kuài)” is the colloquial term for “yuan.”
• Example 2:
  • 请问，寄到上海的邮费怎么算？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, jì dào Shànghǎi de yóufèi zěnme suàn?
  • English: Excuse me, how is the postage to Shanghai calculated?
  • Analysis: “怎么算 (zěnme suàn)” is a very natural way to ask “how is it calculated?” or “what's the rate?”
• Example 3:
  • 如果我买两件，可以免邮费吗？
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒ mǎi liǎng jiàn, kěyǐ miǎn yóufèi ma?
  • English: If I buy two items, can you waive the shipping fee?
  • Analysis: “免 (miǎn)” means “to waive” or “to exempt.” It's a slightly more formal way to say “包邮 (bāo yóu).” This is a common negotiation tactic.
• Example 4:
  • 国际邮费比东西本身还贵！
  • Pinyin: Guójì yóufèi bǐ dōngxi běnshēn hái guì!
  • English: The international shipping fee is even more expensive than the item itself!
  • Analysis: A common complaint. The “比 (bǐ)…还 (hái)…” structure is used for emphasis in comparisons.
• Example 5:
  • 我们店里买满99元就包邮费。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen diàn lǐ mǎi mǎn 99 yuán jiù bāo yóufèi.
  • English: Our store offers free shipping for purchases over 99 yuan.
  • Analysis: “买满 (mǎi mǎn)” means “to buy up to a certain amount.” This is a standard promotional phrase online. Note that 包邮 (bāo yóu) and 包邮费 (bāo yóufèi) are interchangeable here.
• Example 6:
  • 别担心，退货的邮费由我们承担。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, tuìhuò de yóufèi yóu wǒmen chéngdān.
  • English: Don't worry, the return shipping fee will be covered by us.
  • Analysis: “由 (yóu)…承担 (chéngdān)” is a common structure meaning “to be borne/covered by…”
• Example 7:
  • 你需要自己付邮费。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào zìjǐ fù yóufèi.
  • English: You need to pay the postage yourself.
  • Analysis: “付 (fù)” is the verb “to pay.” Simple and direct.
• Example 8:
  • 总金额是200元，其中邮费12元。
  • Pinyin: Zǒng jīn'é shì 200 yuán, qízhōng yóufèi 12 yuán.
  • English: The total amount is 200 yuan, of which 12 yuan is for shipping.
  • Analysis: “其中 (qízhōng)” means “among which” or “of which.” This is a more formal sentence structure you might see on an invoice.
• Example 9:
  • 这个价格不含邮费。
  • Pinyin: Zhège jiàgé bù hán yóufèi.
  • English: This price does not include the shipping fee.
  • Analysis: “含 (hán)” means “to contain” or “to include.” A very common phrase you'll see in product descriptions.
• Example 10:
  • 寄一封平信的邮费不贵。
  • Pinyin: Jì yī fēng píngxìn de yóufèi bù guì.
  • English: The postage for sending a standard letter isn't expensive.
  • Analysis: “平信 (píngxìn)” refers to standard surface mail, as opposed to registered or express mail.
• Example 11:
  • 系统会自动计算邮费。
  • Pinyin: Xìtǒng huì zìdòng jìsuàn yóufèi.
  • English: The system will automatically calculate the shipping fee.
  • Analysis: A phrase you'll encounter on almost any e-commerce website or app.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 邮费 (yóufèi) and 运费 (yùnfèi).

• 邮费 (yóufèi): Literally “post fee.” This is the general, everyday term. It's used for smaller parcels, letters, online shopping for consumer goods, and anything sent via a standard courier (快递, kuàidì) or the post office (邮局, yóujú). When in doubt as a consumer, use 邮费.
• 运费 (yùnfèi): Literally “transport fee.” This term is broader and often implies larger-scale shipping or freight. It's used for logistics, cargo, shipping furniture, or in formal business-to-business contexts. While you might see it used interchangeably with 邮费 online, it has a more industrial or heavy-duty connotation.

Common Mistake: Using a generic word like 价钱 (jiàqian) for shipping.

• Incorrect: 运送的价钱是多少？ (Yùnsòng de jiàqian shì duōshǎo?) - This is grammatically awkward and unnatural.
• Correct: 邮费是多少钱？ (Yóufèi shì duōshǎo qián?) - This is precise, natural, and what a native speaker would say.

• 包邮 (bāo yóu) - Free shipping. The single most important concept related to 邮费 in modern China.
• 运费 (yùnfèi) - Freight cost, shipping fee. A close synonym, but typically used for larger items or in more formal, logistical contexts.
• 快递 (kuàidì) - Express delivery, courier (e.g., SF Express, ZTO Express). The service you pay the 邮费 to.
• 快递费 (kuàidìfèi) - Courier fee. A very common synonym for 邮费 in the context of express delivery. For most daily purposes, it's interchangeable with 邮费.
• 包裹 (bāoguǒ) - Parcel, package. The physical item that you are paying 邮费 to send.
• 邮局 (yóujú) - Post office. The state-run institution for mail services.
• 淘宝 (Táobǎo) - Taobao. China's largest C2C e-commerce platform, where 邮费 is a constant point of discussion.
• 到付 (dàofù) - Pay on arrival; cash on delivery. This can refer to paying for the item, the 邮费, or both when the package arrives.
• 寄 (jì) - To send, to mail. The verb used with 邮费. E.g., “寄这个包裹的邮费…” (The postage for sending this package…).
• 收件人 (shōujiànrén) - Recipient, addressee. The person receiving the package.