Meanings of 給
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About 給
Podcast: 給
Podcast: 給
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AI Study Notes for 給
给 (gěi) vs 送 (sòng): use 给 when emphasizing the act of giving directly to someone, while 送 focuses more on the act of delivering something.
When using 給, be careful with the placement in sentences; it typically follows the object being given. A common mistake is to confuse it with the character 让 (ràng), which means 'to let' or 'to allow'. Use 給 in both informal and formal contexts, but note that in some phrases, it can sound more casual.
Though not in HSK lists, 給 is important for understanding sentence structure in Chinese. Students should focus on its role in indicating relationships and actions, especially in sentences that involve giving or providing. It connects with other verbs of action, enhancing comprehension of sentence dynamics.
Learners often misplace 給 in sentences, leading to confusion. For example, saying '我給書' (Wǒ gěi shū) instead of '我給你一本書' (Wǒ gěi nǐ yī běn shū) omits the recipient, making it unclear.
Pronunciation of 給
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Jason Explains 給 to You
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Etymology of 給
Simplified form of 給. Phonosemantic compound. 糹 represents the meaning and 合 represents the sound. The 糸 (silk) component is used because silk is a precious material often given as a gift.
thread
Origin
給 = 糹 + 合. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 給
Parts
Which of these is part of 給?
How to say to give, to lend; for, by in Chinese
“to give, to lend; for, by” in Chinese is給
The character 給 (gěi) primarily means 'to give' or 'to lend', indicating the action of providing something to someone. It can also convey the prepositions 'for' or 'by' in specific contexts, often used to show the recipient of an action or the purpose of an action.
When to use 給
When using 給, be careful with the placement in sentences; it typically follows the object being given. A common mistake is to confuse it with the character 让 (ràng), which means 'to let' or 'to allow'. Use 給 in both informal and formal contexts, but note that in some phrases, it can sound more casual.
給 or something close to it
给 (gěi) vs 送 (sòng): use 给 when emphasizing the act of giving directly to someone, while 送 focuses more on the act of delivering something.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misplace 給 in sentences, leading to confusion. For example, saying '我給書' (Wǒ gěi shū) instead of '我給你一本書' (Wǒ gěi nǐ yī běn shū) omits the recipient, making it unclear.
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Cultural Notes for 給
Unlike in Western cultures, where gift-giving can sometimes be transactional, in Chinese culture, it often carries a deeper emotional significance, emphasizing personal relationships and social harmony.
Word Family of 給
Characters with 給
What does 给 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 給
You can use 給 to indicate who is receiving an action, for example, 我給你一本書 (Wǒ gěi nǐ yī běn shū) means 'I give you a book.'
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