PrepositionsHSK 4
Expressing "for" with 给
Use 给 to express doing something for someone else. It is more informal than 为 and commonly used for everyday actions. The pattern is Subject + 给 + Recipient + Verb Phrase; the recipient is usually a person but can also be an animal, company, etc.
Structure
Subj. + 给 + Recipient + [Verb Phrase]
Recipient is usually a person but can also be an animal, company, etc.
Exemples
- 给客人倒茶。Gěi kè rén dǎo chá.Pour tea for the guests.
- 妈妈在给孩子们做饭。Mā ma zài gěi hái zi men zuò fàn.Mom cooks for the kids.
- 请给我拿一双筷子。Qǐng gěi wǒ ná yì shuāng kuài zi.Please get a pair of chopsticks for me.
- 可以给我买一杯咖啡吗?Kě yǐ gěi wǒ mǎi yì bēi kā fēi ma?Could you buy me a cup of coffee?
- 如果你来中国玩,我给你当导游。Rú guǒ nǐ lái zhōng guó wán, wǒ gěi nǐ dāng dǎo yóu.If you come visit China, I'll be your tour guide.