委托 (wěi tuō) is a verb meaning 'to entrust' or 'to commission' someone to perform a task or handle a matter on your behalf. The character 委 (wěi) carries the sense of 'to appoint' or 'to assign', while 托 (tuō) means 'to entrust' or 'to rely on'. Together, they emphasize formal, intentional delegation—often involving responsibility, trust, and sometimes legal or professional implications. It's commonly used in business, administrative, and personal contexts when one party authorizes another to act for them.

This word implies a degree of formality and mutual agreement; it’s not used for casual favors. You might 委托 a lawyer to handle paperwork, a colleague to represent you at a meeting, or a shipping company to deliver goods. Unlike simpler verbs like 让 (ràng, 'to let') or 叫 (jiào, 'to ask'), 委托 conveys seriousness and accountability. It can also function as a noun meaning 'a commission' or 'an entrusted matter', though its verbal use is far more frequent.