Difference between revisions of "Expressing "for" with "gei""
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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. | 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. | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 08:14, 20 June 2017
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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.
Contents
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 + Obj.
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
- 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?
- 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.
- 请 给 我 拿 一 双 筷子。 Please give me a pair of chopsticks.
- 我 给 你 带 了 巧克力。 I brought some chocolate for you.
- 可以 给 我 寄 到 办公室 吗？Could you send it to my office?
- 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 patient.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. 464) →buy
