给

gěi

preposition

Gěi 给/給 ‘to/for’ is a preposition introducing a recipient (a noun or a pronoun) toward whom or for whom the action is performed or indicating that something is transferred from the subject to the recipient or introducing a beneficiary of an action. Together with a noun or pronoun it forms a prepositional phrase that is placed before a verb.

Structure

Basic form

The preposition gěi 给/給 together with a pronoun, noun, or noun phrase forms a prepositional phrase, that is usually placed before the verb.

Negation

In negative sentences, adverbs of negation bù 不 ‘not’ or méi 没/沒‘not’ usually appear before the prepositional phrase with gěi 给/給.

Question

Yes-no questions with question particle ma 吗/嗎 are formed in the usual way by adding ma 吗/嗎 at the end of the sentence.

Another type of yes-no questions is formed by combining affirmative and negative form of gěi 给/給.

If the sentence contains a modal verb, yes-no questions are formed by combining affirmative and negative form of the modal verb.

With adverbs

Adverbs usually need to be placed before the prepositional phrase with gěi 给/給.

With modal verbs

Modal verbs, with or without negation, usually need to be placed before the prepositional phrase with gěi 给/給.

Verbs that can take two objects, such as jiāo 教 ‘to teach’, wèn 问/問‘to ask’, jiāo 交 ‘to hand over’, gàosu 告诉/告訴 ‘to tell’, cannot be preceded by prepositional phrases with gěi 给/給. The verb bāngzhù 帮助/幫助 ‘to help’ also cannot be preceded by prepositional phrases with gěi 给/給.

Functions

1. Gěi 给/給 is used to introduce the beneficiary of an action.

2. Gěi 给/給 is used to indicate that something is transferred from the subject to the recipient.

In sentences indicating a transfer from the subject to the recipient, the prepositional phrase can be placed at the end of the sentence.

3. Gěi 给/給 indicating the recipient toward whom an action is performed