Expressing "for" with "gei"
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Keywords
The preposition 给 (gěi) can mean for "for," as in, "everything I do, I do it for you." In this case, the default position is before the verb, although it sometimes comes after, depending on the verb.
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.
The meaning of 给 is very similar to 为 in Chinese, but 给 is more informal than 为 (wèi), and there are many cases where it's simply convention to use one or the other.
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, all right?
- 看，我 给 你 带 了 什么？ Look what I brought for you.
- 可以 给 我 送 到 门口 吗？ (In some cases, translating with "for" in English doesn't work well.)Could you see me off to the door?
- 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 patients.
- 这 个 阿姨 给 你 检查 身体。 (This would be a health check scenario.)This lady will examine your body.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. 464) →buy
