Preposition: 给 (To / For Someone)
介词：给
Use 给 as a preposition to indicate the recipient or beneficiary of an action
Place 给 before the person who receives or benefits from the action, then add the verb and object. 给 acts as a bridge connecting the doer to the receiver.
给 as a preposition is different from 给 as a verb (to give). As a preposition, it means "to" or "for" and comes BEFORE the main verb: 给她打电话 (call her). As a verb, it IS the main verb: 给他一本书 (give him a book).
Lesson Targets
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Podcast: Preposition: 给 (To / For Someone) (介词：给)
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Understanding 介词：给
You already know 给 as a verb meaning "to give." Now you will use it as a preposition meaning "to" or "for." This is one of the most important upgrades in HSK 2. As a preposition, 给 tells you WHO the action is for. 给女朋友打电话 means "call (your) girlfriend" — the phone call is directed TO her. 给她送礼物 means "give her a gift" — the gift is FOR her. The position of 给 is crucial: it comes BEFORE the main verb when it is a preposition. Think of it as pointing at the person who benefits: 我给你做饭 (I cook for you), 她给我买了一杯咖啡 (She bought me a coffee). This is different from English, where "for" comes after the verb. Master 给 as a preposition and your sentences will immediately sound more natural.
Key Points
- 给 (gěi) as preposition = "to / for" — indicates the recipient or beneficiary of an action.
- Preposition 给 comes BEFORE the verb: 给她打电话 (call her), 给你做饭 (cook for you).
- Verb 给 IS the main action: 给他一本书 (give him a book).
- 给 + person + 打电话 is the standard way to say "call someone."
- 给 + person + 送 is the standard way to say "give/send someone (a gift)."
- 给 + person + 买 = "buy for someone": 给你买了一件衣服.
- 给 can combine with 做: 给你做饭 (cook for you), 给她做了一个蛋糕 (made a cake for her).
Gift-giving is a major part of Chinese social life. The phrase 给你/她/他送礼物 comes up constantly — birthdays, holidays, visiting someone's home, and business relationships all involve thoughtful gift exchanges.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我晚上要给女朋友打电话。
I am going to call my girlfriend tonight.
Standard way to say "call someone"
她后天过生日，我们给她送什么礼物呢？
Her birthday is the day after tomorrow — what gift should we give her?
妈妈给我做了很多好吃的。
Mom made a lot of delicious food for me.
我给你买了一杯咖啡。
I bought you a cup of coffee.
请给我一杯水。
Please give me a glass of water.
给 as a verb here
他给朋友写了一封信。
He wrote a letter to his friend.
老师给我们讲了一个故事。
The teacher told us a story.
我给你介绍一下儿。
Let me introduce (someone) to you.
Common Mistakes
In standard Mandarin, prepositional 给 comes BEFORE the verb. The pattern 给 + person + verb is correct. (Note: placing 给 after the verb is common in southern dialects but is not standard.)
Do not use 给 twice — one 给 before the verb is enough to mark the recipient.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
The simplest test: if 给 comes BEFORE the verb, it is a preposition (for/to). If 给 IS the verb, it means "to give."
Memorize 给 + person + 打电话 — you will use it every single day.
Practice making sentences about doing things for others: 给他做饭, 给她买花, 给朋友写信.
When in doubt about 给 vs. 对, remember: 给 is about doing something FOR someone; 对 is about attitude TOWARDS someone.
Homework
Write eight sentences about things you do for the people in your life using 给 as a preposition: 给妈妈打电话, 给朋友买礼物, 给同学写信, etc.
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