What is the difference between 引き渡し and 受け渡し? I'm having trouble understanding which one to use when, as they appear to have overlapping definitions (EDICT both have the translation "delivery"). For instance, which one do you use to describe an estate agent delivering an apartment key from the owner to a renter?

They are often interchangeable, but there are differences, too. tends to refer to a relatively casual action. often refers to a legally/politically important action. You may think is closer to "to hand" or "to communicate", and is closer to "to transfer (ownership, right, etc)" or "to delegate."

If you are objectively explaining how web servers and browsers work, is probably preferred. If you are buying a secret piece of important information from a agent for a million yen, would be preferred.

* is preferred: , ,
* is preferred: , ,



In your example, both and sound okay to me. Both the estate agent and the resident can say either or .