Expressing "for" with "gei"

The preposition 给 (gěi) can mean for "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 object. In this case, the default position is before the verb, although it sometimes comes after, depending on the verb.

Basic Usage

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.

Structure

Subject + 给 + [Recipient] + Verb + Object

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

• 我 要 给 孩子 们 做 饭。 I need to cook for the kids.
• 我 给 你 当 翻译。 I'll serve as translator for you.
• 你的 父母 会 不 会 给 你 买 房子 ？ Will your parents buy a home for you?
• 你 给 我 泡 一 杯 茶 好 吗 ？ Could you make a cup of tea for me?
• 老公 给 我 买 了 一 个 大 蛋糕。 My husband bought a big cake for me.
• 我 给 你 削 个 苹果 吃。 I'll peel an apple for you.
• 看，我 给 你 带 了 什么？ Look what I brought for you.
• 可以 给 我 送 到 门口 吗？Could you send it to 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.)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.)The doctor is seeing the patient.
• 这 个 阿姨 给 你 检查 身体。 (This would be a health check scenario.)This lady will examine your body.

Usage After the Verb

There are some common verbs which allow the 给 to follow the verb. For more on this usage, please see the article "gei" following verbs.

Structure

Subject + Verb + 给 + [Recipient] + Object

Examples

For examples of this usage, please see the article "gei" following verbs.

See also

• "For" with "wei"
• Verbs with "gei"

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语虚词例释 (p. 196)→buy

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. 464) →buy