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

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.

Structure

Subject + 给 + Target + Verb + Object

Examples

我给他打电话了。I gave him a phone call. (Literally: I give him hit phone.)
请给我回电话。
我给你发了一封邮件。
但是你没有给我回邮件。
你用什么电脑给我传文件？
我要给你看我们的新产品。
给女朋友送什么礼物呢？
给我说说这件事情。
小时候，妈妈每天都给我讲故事。
你应该给他道歉。

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".

Alternative Structure

Although the structure above is the best one to learn first, some verbs frequently use 给, but have the 给 coming after the verb, rather than before. It's best to think of these as exceptions to the rule above, and you cane learn more about these exceptions by reading about "gei" following verbs.

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)