给 vs 向 (gěi vs xiàng): recipient vs direction
Both 给 and 向 can translate to English "to," but they serve different functions: 给 marks the recipient of an action (someone who receives something or benefits), while 向 marks the direction or target of an action (toward someone, often with verbs of communication or movement). Choosing the wrong one can change the meaning or create a grammatical error.
给 and 向 are both coverbs that introduce a person related to an action, but they emphasize different aspects. 给 focuses on the receiver or beneficiary of the action (e.g., giving, sending, doing something for someone). 向 focuses on the direction or target of the action (e.g., saying something toward someone, moving toward someone). While 给 often implies a transfer or benefit, 向 implies orientation without necessarily involving receipt. They are not interchangeable: using 向 with a verb of giving (like 送 'send') is incorrect, and using 给 with a verb like 看 'look' changes the meaning.
When to use each
Use 给 to indicate the recipient of an action, especially with verbs of giving, sending, or doing something for someone. It introduces the indirect object and can also mark the beneficiary (e.g., 'do something for someone'). In passive constructions, 给 can replace 被.
In informal speech, 给 can also appear before a verb to indicate an action done for someone's benefit, e.g., 你给我记住 (you remember this for me).
Use 向 to indicate the direction or target of an action, especially with verbs of communication (说, 报告, 挥手), perception (看, 望), or movement (走, 跑). It emphasizes the orientation toward the person, not that they receive anything.
向 is more formal than 往 in indicating direction; for physical movement, 往 and 向 are often interchangeable, but 向 is preferred with abstract targets (e.g., 向他学习 'learn from him').
At a glance
| 给 | 向 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Recipient (receiver or beneficiary) | Direction toward a target |
| Typical verbs | 给 (give), 送 (send), 寄 (mail), 借 (lend), 介绍 (introduce) | 说 (say), 看 (look), 走 (walk), 挥手 (wave), 报告 (report) |
| Can introduce a physical object? | Yes (e.g., 给他一本书 give him a book) | No (cannot transfer an object) |
| Passive use | Can form passive (被…给… or 给… verb) | No |
| Benefactive meaning | Can mean 'for' (beneft) (e.g., 给我打电话 call me / call for me) | No |
Examples
- 给我给他寄了一封信。Wǒ gěi tā jì le yī fēng xìn.I sent him a letter.给 marks the recipient 他.
- 向他向我点了点头。Tā xiàng wǒ diǎn le diǎn tóu.He nodded to me.向 indicates the direction of the nodding action toward me.
- 给请你给我一个机会。Qǐng nǐ gěi wǒ yī gè jīhuì.Please give me a chance.给 introduces the recipient 我.
- 向他向我告别后离开了。Tā xiàng wǒ gàobié hòu líkāi le.He said goodbye to me and left.向 with the verb 告别 (say goodbye) indicates the person addressed.
- 给我给朋友做了一顿饭。Wǒ gěi péngyou zuò le yī dùn fàn.I cooked a meal for my friend.Here 给 means 'for' (beneficiary), not recipient of an object.
- 向错误：他给我说“谢谢”了。Cuòwù: Tā gěi wǒ shuō “xièxie” le.Wrong: He said 'thank you' to me.✗ 给 cannot introduce the addressee of 说 (say); use 向 or 对: 他对我说“谢谢”。
Common mistakes
- Using 向 for a recipient of a physical object: 我向他送一本书 (should be 给).
- Using 给 with verbs of direction like 看: 他给我看 (means 'he looked for me' or 'he looked at me in a beneficial way', not 'he looked toward me'; use 向 for literal direction).
- Using 给 when the verb is 说 to indicate the listener: 他给我说故事 (means 'he told me a story' and is correct because a story is given; but for 'he said to me' use 向 or 对).
- Overusing 向 in informal speech for 'to' in giving contexts: 我向他还书 (should be 我给他还书).
- Omitting a coverb entirely in dialectal English-influenced sentences: 我打电话他 (need 给).
FAQ
- When do I use 给 vs 向?
- Use 给 when the action transfers something (physical or abstract) to the person, or is done for their benefit. Use 向 when the action merely points toward the person (e.g., speaking, looking, moving) without implying receipt.
- Can 给 be used for 'to say to someone'?
- Not directly. 给 can be used with verbs like 告诉 (tell) or 介绍 (introduce) because they involve giving information to someone. But for simple 'say to', use 向 (formal) or 对 (common). Example: 他对我说 (he said to me) not 他给我说.
- Is 向 interchangeable with 往 for direction?
- Often, but not always. 向 is more abstract (e.g., 向主席报告 'report to the chairman'), while 往 is more concrete (e.g., 往前走 'walk forward'). Both can indicate physical movement direction, but 向 is preferred when the destination is a person or goal.
- Does 给 always mean 'give'?
- No, 给 as a coverb is grammatical and often just marks the indirect object. It can mean 'for' (benefactive) and is also used in passive voice (被...给...). Its core function is to link an action to a recipient or beneficiary.