遞

A phono-semantic compound:

辵 (to walk; movement) — semantic component, indicates movement or transfer

虒 (tiger-like beast) — phonetic component, provides the sound

The earliest meaning of 遞 was “to pass along in sequence”, especially in the context of official transmission. This included:

- relaying documents

- rotating personnel

- passing messages from one post to another

In imperial China, 遞 referred to the official relay-post system:

- 遞站 / 驛遞 — relay stations

- messengers would alternate horses and couriers

- ensured rapid transmission across long distances

This sense survives clearly in historical texts.

From the idea of passing in sequence, meanings expanded to:

- alternation (one after another)

- rotation of duties

- handing down authority or responsibility

This is the origin of the Korean gloss “갈마들다” (“to alternate”).

교체 (交遞) — replacement, rotation (historical/academic)

전달하다 (傳遞하다) — to transmit, to deliver

遞 emphasizes sequence and order, not mere movement. It often implies systematic relay, especially in administrative or logistical contexts.

Related characters:

傳 — to transmit

替 — to replace

交 — to exchange

換 — to swap

驛 — courier station