给
HSK 2- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The preposition 给 is used to indicate the recipient or beneficiary of an action, equivalent to 'for/to' in English.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
When you want to say doing something for someone, you use the preposition 给. The structure 给 + someone is placed directly before the verb to specify the recipient or beneficiary of the action. This is a major difference from Vietnamese, where "cho ai đó" (for someone) is typically placed at the end of the sentence. Remember: 给 someone + verb.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他给我打电话。繁: 他給我打電話。Tā gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
He called me on the phone.
- 妈妈给我做饭。繁: 媽媽給我做飯。Māma gěi wǒ zuò fàn.
Mom cooks meals for me.
- 我给你介绍一个朋友。繁: 我給你介紹一個朋友。Wǒ gěi nǐ jièshào yí ge péngyou.
I'll introduce you to a friend.
- 老师给我们上课。繁: 老師給我們上課。Lǎoshī gěi wǒmen shàng kè.
The teacher teaches us a class.
- 请给我一杯水。繁: 請給我一杯水。Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ.
Please give me a glass of water.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我打电话他给。Correct:我给他打电话。
The structure `给 + object` must come before the verb, unlike Vietnamese which places 'cho ai đó' at the end of the sentence.
- Wrong:他买一个礼物给我。Correct:他给我买一个礼物。
Always remember the rule: `给 [person] [action]`. The prepositional phrase `给我` must come before the verb `买`.