给

• Pinyin: gěi
• Hanzi breakdown: 给 = 纟 (silk) + 合 (combine) — to supply, to give

Meaning

To give; for; to. A fundamental verb meaning to give, and a preposition indicating the recipient or beneficiary of an action.

As a verb, 给 means to hand over or provide (给你一本书 give you a book). As a preposition, it introduces the recipient of an action (给他打电话 call him, 给妈妈做饭 cook for mum). One of the highest-frequency words in Mandarin, essential for expressing actions directed at someone.

Examples

1. 请你给我一杯水。 Please give me a glass of water.
2. 我给妈妈打了一个电话。 I called mum on the phone.
3. 老师给我们很多作业。 The teacher gives us a lot of homework.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, general

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 给你，这是你的书。(Here you go, this is your book.)
• 他给我写了一封信。(He wrote me a letter.)

Don't Say

• 说'给了他钱我'来表示我给了他钱。(Don't reverse the order — say 我给了他钱, not 给了他钱我; the giver comes before 给)

Origin & History

Composed of 纟 (silk) and 合 (to combine or join). Originally related to supplying silk provisions, later generalised to mean to give.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal