The preposition 给 (gěi) can mean "for," as in, "everything I do, I do it for you." You can also think of it to mean "give," like to give a service or to give an Obj.. In this case, the default position of the character is before the verb, although it sometimes comes after, depending on the verb.
Contents
- Structure
- Examples
- See also
- Sources and further reading
- Books
Structure
The meaning of 给 is very similar to 为 (wèi) in Chinese, but 给 is more informal than 为, and there are many cases where it's simply based on convention and general practice to decide to use one or the other.
Subj. + 给 + Recipient + Verb + Obj.
Note that the "recipient" in the pattern above is usually a person, but isn't necessarily a person. It could be an animal, or company, or any number of other types of recipients.
Examples
- 妈妈 在 给 孩子 们 做饭 。 Māma zài gěi háizi men zuòfàn.
Mom is cooking for the kids.
- 你 父母 会 不 会 给 你 买 房子 ？ Nǐ fùmǔ huì bu huì gěi nǐ mǎi fángzi? Will your parents buy a home for you?
- 给 我 泡 一 杯 茶 好 吗 ？ Gěi wǒ pào yī bēi chá hǎo ma?
Could you make a cup of tea for me?
- 老公 给 我 买 了 一 个 大 蛋糕。 Lǎogōng gěi wǒ mǎi le yī gè dà dàngāo.
My husband bought a big cake for me.
- 请 给 我 拿 一 双 筷子。 Qǐng gěi wǒ ná yī shuāng kuàizi.
Please give me a pair of chopsticks.
- 我 给 你 带 了 巧克力。 Wǒ gěi nǐ dài le qiǎokèlì.
I brought some chocolate for you.
- 如果 你 来 中国 玩 ，我 给 你 当 导游 。 Rúguǒ nǐ lái Zhōngguó wán, wǒ gěi nǐ dāng dǎoyóu.
If you come to visit China, I'll serve as tour guide for you.
- 我 没 带 钥匙 ，你 能 给 我 开 一下 门 吗 ？ Wǒ méi dài yàoshi, nǐ néng gěi wǒ kāi yīxià mén ma?
I don't have the key. Could you please open the door for me?
- 小时候，妈妈 经常 给 我 讲 故事。 In some cases, translating with "for" in English doesn't work well. Xiǎoshíhou, māma jīngcháng gěi wǒ jiǎng gùshi.
When I was little, mom often told me stories.
- 医生 在 给 病人 看 病。 In some cases, translating with "for" in English doesn't work well. Yīshēng zài gěi bìngrén kànbìng.
The doctor is seeing the patient.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
Dictionaries