Verbs preceded by "gei"

Level

B1 / HSK2
Level

B1
Level

HSK2
Similar to
- Verbs that take double objects (A2)
- Expressing "for" with "gei" (B1)
- Expressing "until" with "dao" (B1)
- Using "dui" with verbs (B1)
- Verbs followed by "gei" (B1)
Similar to
- Expressing "for" with "gei" (HSK2)
- Using "dui" with verbs (HSK2)
- Verbs followed by "gei" (HSK2)
- Verbs that take double objects (HSK2)
- Expressing "until" with "dao" (HSK4)
Used for
Keywords

给

“给”用作介词的时候，最常见的意思是“为”。

Structure

The word 给 (gěi) literally means "to give", but is frequently used in Chinese to indicate the target of a verb. The target is who or what the verb is aimed or directed at.

Subject + 给 + Target + Verb + Object

Examples

你妈妈每天都给你做饭吗？Does your mama cook for you every day? (Literally: Your mama everyday gives you cook food?
你需要我给你点菜吗？Do you need me to give you a little bit of food?
看看我给你带了什么？Did you give what I brought you a little look?
我要给他们做一个演讲。I want to give them a speech.
小时候，爸爸经常给我讲故事。When I was little, my dad often told me stories
我给 我的小狗 做了一件衣服。I gave my dog an article of clothing I made.
今年这个老师给我们上课。This year, this teacher taught our class.
王医生每天给一百个人看病。
爸爸要给我买房子。
老公给我买了一个很大的生日蛋糕。
我给你订了一张机票。
我去给你泡一杯茶。

Sources and Further Reading

Books

Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 170) →buy
Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 154) →buy
New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 143) →buy
New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 165) →buy

Websites

Chinesegrammar.info: When 给 (gěi) comes directly after verbs in Mandarin Chinese (verb-给 compounds)