Verbs preceded by "gei"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
Chinese speakers use 给 (gěi) in some interesting ways, similar to how English speakers use "to give", as in "to give someone a phone call" or "to give someone a reply".
Contents
Structure 1
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. There are two structures for this:
Subject + 给 + Target + Verb + Object
Examples
- 我 给 他 打 电话。I give him a phone call. (Literally: I give him hit phone.)
- 请 给 我 回复。Please give me a reply.
- 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?
- 我 想 给 你 一个 好 东西。I want to give you something good.
Structure 2
The meaning is the same with Structure 1 above, except that there is a limit to the verbs you can use. The verbs often used are "打电话、回邮件、发邮件、送礼物、传文件"
Subject + Verb + Object + 给 + Target
Examples
- 你 打 电话 给 他。You give him a phone call. (Literally: You hit phone give he.)
- 我 会 发 邮件给 他。I will send him an email.
- 他 昨天 送 花 给 我 了。You send me flowers yesterday.
See also
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)
