PrepositionsHSK 5
Comparing 给 and 为
When you want to say "do something for someone," use 给 to mark the recipient before the verb. 为 is more formal and often appears in set phrases or to mean "as" (e.g., 为...工作); avoid confusing it with 给 in casual "give/do for" contexts.
Structure
Subj. + 给 + Recipient + [Verb Phrase]
Examples
- 请给我拿一双筷子。Qǐng gěi wǒ ná yì shuāng kuài zi.Please get me a pair of chopsticks.
- 下飞机以后，我给你打电话。Xià fēi jī yǐ hòu, wǒ gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà.After getting off the plane, I'll give you a call.
- 你别忘了给我回邮件。Nǐ bié wàng le gěi wǒ huí yóu jiàn.Don't forget to reply to my email.
- 同事给我介绍了公司的情况。Tóng shì gěi wǒ jiè shào le gōng sī de qíng kuàng.My coworker explained the company's situation to me.
- 这件事是你做得不对，给他道歉。Zhè jiàn shì shì nǐ zuò dé bú duì, gěi tā dào qiàn.What you did was wrong. Apologize to him.