Expressing "for" with "gei"
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Level
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Keywords
The preposition 给 (gěi) can mean "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 Obj.. In this case, the default position of the character is before the verb, although it sometimes comes after, depending on the verb.
Structure
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.
Subj. + 给 + Recipient + [Verb Phrase]
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
- 妈妈 在 给 孩子 们 做饭 。Mom is cooking for the kids.
- 你 父母 会 不 会 给 你 买 房子 ？Will your parents buy a home for you?
- 给 我 倒 一 杯 水 ，谢谢 。Pour a cup of tea for me, thank you.
- 老公 给 我 买 了 一 个 大 蛋糕 。 My husband bought a big cake for me.
- 请 给 我 拿 一 双 筷子 。Please give me a pair of chopsticks.
- 我 儿子 喜欢 给 小狗 洗澡 。My son likes to give a bath to our dog.
- 如果 你 来 中国 玩 ，我 给 你 当 导游 。If you come to visit China, I'll serve as tour guide for you.
- 我 没 带 钥匙 ，你 能 给 我 开 一下 门 吗 ？I don't have the key. Could you please open 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 stories to me.
- 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.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. 464) →buy
