给
gěi
To give; for (preposition indicating recipient of action)
How to say “for” in Chinese with 给 (gěi)
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase
给 (gěi) — for (someone)
HSK 2Prepositions
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase
HSK 2Prepositions给 (gěi) — for (someone)
Rule structure
给 (gěi) before the recipient indicates for whom or for whose benefit an action is done. In Subject + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase, the focus is on the beneficiary of the action.
Rule structure
给 (gěi) before the recipient indicates for whom or for whose benefit an action is done. In Subject + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase, the focus is on the beneficiary of the action.
Examples
我给你做饭。
Wǒ gěi nǐ zuòfàn.
I cook for you.
她给我写信。
Tā gěi wǒ xiěxìn.
She writes a letter for me.
我给妈妈写信。
Wǒ gěi māma xiěxìn.
I write a letter for my mom.
Examples
我给你做饭。
Wǒ gěi nǐ zuòfàn.
I cook for you.
她给我写信。
Tā gěi wǒ xiěxìn.
She writes a letter for me.
我给妈妈写信。
Wǒ gěi māma xiěxìn.
I write a letter for my mom.
Practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “for (someone)” in Chinese with 给?
Use the structure: Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase. For example: 我给你做饭。 — “I cook for you”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我给你做饭。 — “I cook for you”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
对 — attitude toward something
Subj. + 对 (duì) + Object / Topic + Verb / Evaluative Phrase
从…到 — from… to…
从 (cóng)⋯⋯到 (dào)⋯⋯
往 — toward
往 (wǎng) + Direction Word
比 — comparing two things
Noun 1 + 比 (bǐ) + Noun 2 + Adj.
了 — already done
Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯