送／教／问 + 人 + 东西
give / teach / ask someone something
Structure
主语 + 给／送／教／问 + 人 + 东西 · 主语 + 动词 + 给 + 人 + 东西
What it means
Some verbs take two objects: the person who gets something, then the thing itself. Use it to say you give, send, teach or ask someone something.
How it is built
Subject + 给／送／教／问 + person + thing: 我送你一本书 (I’ll give you a book). With 送 you can add 给: 送给你一本书.
When to use it
Works with 给, 送, 教 and 问: 教我们中文, 问你一个问题. Person first, thing second, nothing in between. 送给 + person is also common and natural.
Watch out
✗ 送一本书你。 ✓ 送你一本书。 ✓ 送一本书给你。 Without 给, the person never comes after the thing.
Examples
我送你一本书。
I’ll give you a book.
张老师教我们中文。
Teacher Zhang teaches us Chinese.
我想问你一个问题。
Can I ask you a question?
大卫送给刘经理一件礼物。
David gave Manager Liu a gift.
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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