Comparing "gei" and "wei"

Both 给 and 为 can mean "for." They seem to be somewhat arbitrarily assigned to different verbs, and to make matters worth, some verbs (but not all!) can use either one. There are a few principles you can use to keep them straight, but also a few exceptions you need to memorize. As always, lots of examples help!

The Core Meaning of 给

As you know, 给 is also a verb meaning "to give." As such, 给 is often used with verbs to express an action done out of kindness or friendship. Think of all the things a mother does for a child, or a generous friend does for her bestie. These would use 给.

Structure

Subj. + 给 + Recipient + [Verb Phrase]

Examples

• 上海 给 我 留下 了 很 深 的 印象。 Shànghǎi gěi wǒ liúxià le hěn shēn de yìnxiàng.
• 下 飞机 以后，我 给 你 打 电话。 Xià fēijī yǐhòu, wǒ gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.
• 这 件 事 是 你 做的 不对， 给 他 道歉。 Zhè jiàn shì shì nǐ zuò de bù duì, gěi tā dàoqiàn.
• 你 看到 别 忘 了 给 我 回 邮件。 Nǐ kàn dào bié wàng le gěi wǒ huí yóujiàn.
• 请 给 我 拿 一双 筷子。 Qǐng gěi wǒ ná yī shuāng kuàizi.
• 老板 给 我 提 了 很多 建议。 Lǎobǎn gěi wǒ tí le hěn duō jiànyì.
• 同事 给 我 介绍 了 公司 的 情况。 Tóngshì gěi wǒ jièshào le gōngsī de qíngkuàng.

The Core Meaning of 为

The word 为 automatically feels more formal than 给, due to its association with classical Chinese. Besides being more formal, it is also often associated with obligatory actions or responsibilities. The typical example of this is "to work for Company A": 为A公司工作.

One other common usage of 为 is for uncontrollable emotional reactions that result from relationships with other people. These reactions aren't really done out of kindness; they're spontaneous and not a result of a conscious choice.

Structure

为 + Party + Verb / Adj.

Examples

• 我们 都 为 你 高兴 。Wǒmen dōu wèi nǐ gāoxìng.We are all happy for you.
• 谁 为 我 考虑 过 ？Shéi wèi wǒ kǎolǜ guo?Who has ever considered me?
• 你们 可以 来 为 我们 加油 。Nǐmen kěyǐ lái wèi wǒmen jiāyóu.You guys can come to cheer us on.
• 她 是 为 美国 政府 工作 的 。Tā shì wèi Měiguó zhèngfǔ gōngzuò de.She works for the United States government.
• 这个 生日 蛋糕 是 为 你 准备 的 。Zhège shēngrì dàngāo shì wèi nǐ zhǔnbèi de.This birthday cake has been prepared for you.
• 父母 为 家庭 付出 了 很 多 。Fùmǔ wèi jiātíng fùchū le hěn duō.The parents have done so much for their family.
• 你 不 为 自己 的 孩子 担心 吗 ？Nǐ bù wèi zìjǐ de háizi dānxīn ma?Aren't you worried for your child?
• 谢谢 你 为 我们 提供 这么 多 资源 。Xièxie nǐ wèi wǒmen tígōng zhème duō zīyuán.Thank you for providing us with so many resources.
• 他 为 公司 的 发展 贡献 了 很多 。Tā wèi gōngsī de fāzhǎn gòngxiàn le hěn duō.He contributed a lot to the development of the company.
• 很多 人 都 在 为 那些 孩子 祈祷 。Hěn duō rén dōu zài wèi nàxiē háizi qídǎo.Lots of people are praying for those children.

Comparison of 给 and 为 by Collocation

What could be more helpful than a big long list of examples? We've done our best to include the most common words that pair (collocate) with 给 and 为, but this list is, of course, not exhaustive.

See also

• Expressing "for" with "gei"
• Expressing "for" with "wei"

Sources and further reading

Books

• 1700对 (pp. 486) [ →buy]

HSK5