给
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This word has multiple dictionary entries. Choose the reading or usage you want to review.
Definitions
- 1. to
- 2. for
- 3. for the benefit of
- 4. to give
- 5. to allow
- 6. to do sth (for sb)
- 7. (grammatical equivalent of 被)
- 8. (grammatical equivalent of 把)
- 9. (sentence intensifier)
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Character focus
Stroke order
Word relationships
Antonyms
1 itemRelated words
2 itemsSynonyms
1 itemUsage notes
Common mistakes
Don't confuse 给 (gěi) as a preposition meaning 'for' with 为 (wèi). 给 is used for services or favors done for someone, while 为 often indicates purpose or reason.
Formality
给 (gěi) is neutral and used in both spoken and written Chinese. In formal writing, 给予 (jǐyǔ) can be used as a more literary synonym for 'to give'.
Grammar
Guides that feature 给
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Use 和 + person for doing something with someone, and 对 + person for who your words or attitude are aimed at; both go before the verb.
Use 把 + thing + verb + 给 + person to say you give, hand, lend or return a specific thing to someone: 请把作业交给老师.
Verbs of passing something on can take 给 right after them, then the person, then the thing: 送给他一本书, 借给我一支笔, 还给你.
Say who gets what with verbs like 给, 问, 教, 送 and 告诉: verb + person + thing, as in 老师给我一本书.
Compare 被, 让, and 给 in advanced passive sentences without flattening them into English.
Use 给 to say who receives an action, like 给妈妈打电话, and 跟 to say who you do something with, like 跟朋友一起去.
Example Sentences
5 shown请 给 我一杯水。
请 给 我一把勺子，我要喝汤。
请 给 我一碗米饭。
请 给 我留一个座位。
请 给 我一杯开水。
AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.
Words Containing 给
to give; to deliver; to hand over
to furnish
to accord
supply
to send
to hand it (i.e. the aforementioned item) to (sb)
lame (unimpressive)
to deliver
pay
to lend to sb
to pass on to
to divide (and give to others)
to give
to slip sb sth
(neologism c. 2020) come on, you can do it!
to give to
ammunition depot
lit. to give sb a slap, then offer a sweet date (idiom)
to donate
Zanzibar
lit. to kill a chicken in front of a monkey; fig. to make an example of sb (by punishment) to frighten others
to task
to set aside for
to issue
lit. the eye cannot take it all in (idiom)
(the name of an official position in the imperial court), aka 給事中|给事中[jǐ shì zhōng]
to pay
to give
(I'll) teach you a lesson
cool
to state in advance
to supply water
soap dispenser
to administer medicine
to show deference or praise publicly
provisions; supplies; victuals
aggregate supply
self-reliant
self-sufficiency
salary; wage
supplies
depot
supply ship
supply ship
to bestow
to lose to (sb)
to pass on to
to return sth to sb
to forget (everything one has learned)
to ration
to award
Beware of suspicious folk bearing gifts, they are sure to be ill-intentioned. (idiom)
see 黃鼠狼給雞拜年|黄鼠狼给鸡拜年[huáng shǔ láng gěi jī bài nián]
marry me (said to a woman)
send it to me