给 (for someone)

• Pinyin: gěi
• Formation: Subject + 给 + Recipient + Verb Phrase
• Hanzi breakdown: 给 = 纟(silk) + 合 (combine)

Meaning

给 (gěi) can be used as a preposition meaning 'for' to indicate that an action is performed on behalf of or for the benefit of someone. It is placed before the recipient and followed by a verb phrase.

While 给 is most commonly known as the verb 'to give,' it also functions as a preposition meaning 'for' when placed before a recipient and followed by a verb. In this usage, 给 indicates that the subject performs the action for the benefit of another person. For example, 我给你做饭 means 'I cook for you.' This prepositional use is distinct from the verb use (给你一本书 = 'give you a book') because another verb follows 给 + recipient. The word order is critical: 给 must come before the recipient, and the main verb follows the recipient. Learners sometimes confuse this with the English word order 'buy for you' and place 给 after the verb, which is incorrect in standard Mandarin.

Examples

1. 我给你倒一杯水吧。 Let me pour you a glass of water.
2. 她给妈妈买了一条围巾。 She bought a scarf for her mom.
3. 请你给我拿一下那本书。 Please pass me that book.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我给你介绍一下我的同事。
• 她每天给孩子准备早餐。
• 你能给我翻译一下这句话吗？

Don't Say

• 我买了给你一件衣服。(给 + recipient must come before the verb phrase, not after — say 我给你买了一件衣服) → 我给你买了一件衣服。
• 他给打电话我。(The recipient must directly follow 给, not the verb — say 他给我打电话) → 他给我打电话。

Origin & History

给 originally meant 'to supply' or 'to provide' in classical Chinese, written with the silk radical 纟 suggesting the giving of fabric or material goods. Over time it evolved into a general-purpose verb meaning 'to give' and further developed a prepositional use meaning 'for the benefit of.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal