借

• Pinyin: jiè
• Hanzi breakdown: 借 = 亻(person radical) + 昔 (phonetic component, meaning 'past')

Meaning

To borrow; to lend. Depending on context, can mean either borrowing from someone or lending to someone.

The direction of the action depends on context: 向别人借 means to borrow from someone, while 借给别人 means to lend to someone. Common in everyday situations involving books, money, and objects. 借口 means excuse.

Examples

1. 我能借你的书看看吗？ Can I borrow your book to read?
2. 他借了一本书给我。 He lent a book to me.
3. 图书馆可以借很多书。 You can borrow many books from the library.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, library, friends

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 我可以借一下你的笔吗？(May I borrow your pen?)
• 他把车借给朋友了。(He lent his car to a friend.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'我要借你我的手机' (Don't say 借你 when you mean to lend — say 借给你 to clarify you are giving it temporarily)

Origin & History

Composed of 亻(person radical) and 昔 (the past, phonetic). Originally implied a temporary arrangement, fitting the nature of borrowing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal