给 + 人 + 动词
(do something) for / to someone
Structure
主语 + 给 + 人 + 动词 （+ 宾语）
What it means
Here 给 means “for” or “to” someone: 给妈妈打电话 “call Mum”, 给你买 “buy for you”.
How it is built
Subject + 给 + person + verb (+ object): 我给你们带了一点儿水果 (I’ve brought you some fruit).
When to use it
Use it with verbs like 打电话, 写信, 买, 带, 介绍. Unlike English, 给 + person usually comes before the verb: 晚上给我打电话吧 (Give me a call this evening).
Watch out
Verbs like 打电话 and 写信 can’t take the person straight after them. ✗ 打电话你。 ✓ 给你打电话。
Examples
我给你们带了一点儿水果。
I’ve brought you some fruit.
晚上给我打电话吧。
Give me a call this evening.
来，我给你介绍一下。
Come, let me introduce you.
妈妈每天给我做早饭。
Mum makes me breakfast every day.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 14: 送礼物 (Giving gifts)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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