Meanings of 給
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About 給
Podcast: 給
Podcast: 給
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AI Study Notes for 給
给 (gěi) vs 送 (sòng): use 给 when emphasizing the act of giving directly to someone, while 送 focuses more on the act of delivering something.
When using 給, be careful with the placement in sentences; it typically follows the object being given. A common mistake is to confuse it with the character 让 (ràng), which means 'to let' or 'to allow'. Use 給 in both informal and formal contexts, but note that in some phrases, it can sound more casual.
Though not in HSK lists, 給 is important for understanding sentence structure in Chinese. Students should focus on its role in indicating relationships and actions, especially in sentences that involve giving or providing. It connects with other verbs of action, enhancing comprehension of sentence dynamics.
Learners often misplace 給 in sentences, leading to confusion. For example, saying '我給書' (Wǒ gěi shū) instead of '我給你一本書' (Wǒ gěi nǐ yī běn shū) omits the recipient, making it unclear.
Pronunciation of 給
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Etymology of 給
Simplified form of 給. Phonosemantic compound. 糹 represents the meaning and 合 represents the sound. The 糸 (silk) component is used because silk is a precious material often given as a gift.
thread
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Case file: 給
Simplified form of 給. Phonosemantic compound. 糹 represents the meaning and 合 represents the sound. The 糸 (silk) component is used because silk is a precious material often given as a gift.
- 1The meaning half糹 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half合 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaythread
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 給? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 給
Identify the Components
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How to say to give, to lend; for, by in Chinese
“to give, to lend; for, by” in Chinese is給
The character 給 (gěi) primarily means 'to give' or 'to lend', indicating the action of providing something to someone. It can also convey the prepositions 'for' or 'by' in specific contexts, often used to show the recipient of an action or the purpose of an action.
When to use 給
When using 給, be careful with the placement in sentences; it typically follows the object being given. A common mistake is to confuse it with the character 让 (ràng), which means 'to let' or 'to allow'. Use 給 in both informal and formal contexts, but note that in some phrases, it can sound more casual.
給 or something close to it
给 (gěi) vs 送 (sòng): use 给 when emphasizing the act of giving directly to someone, while 送 focuses more on the act of delivering something.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misplace 給 in sentences, leading to confusion. For example, saying '我給書' (Wǒ gěi shū) instead of '我給你一本書' (Wǒ gěi nǐ yī běn shū) omits the recipient, making it unclear.
Write 給
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Practice writing 給 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Cultural Notes for 給
Unlike in Western cultures, where gift-giving can sometimes be transactional, in Chinese culture, it often carries a deeper emotional significance, emphasizing personal relationships and social harmony.
Word Family of 給
Compound Meaning
What does 给 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 給
You can use 給 to indicate who is receiving an action, for example, 我給你一本書 (Wǒ gěi nǐ yī běn shū) means 'I give you a book.'
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