Preposition and Verb 给 (gěi) – To, For, To Give

Pattern

• Subject + 给 + Person + Verb phrase
• Subject + 给 + Person + Noun phrase

Usage

• The word 给 (gěi) can operate both as a dynamic verb meaning “to give” and as a preposition meaning “to” or “for”.
• When serving as a preposition, 给 introduces the person who receives the effect or outcome of the action and precedes the main verb.
• The formula is: Subject + 给 + Recipient + Verb + Object.
• For example: 我给妈妈打电话 ('I call mom on the phone' — literally 'I to mom make phone call').
• Conversely, when 给 functions as the main verb of the sentence, it follows a double-object structure: Subject + 给 + Indirect Object

Examples

1. 1

   我给妈妈打电话。

   Wǒ gěi māma dǎ diànhuà.

   I give my mother a phone call.

2. 2

   他给我写了一封信。

   Tā gěi wǒ xiě le yì fēng xìn.

   He wrote a letter to me.

3. 3

   请给我一杯水。

   Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ.

   Please give me a glass of water.

4. 4

   我送给她一个礼物。