给 gěi give
give; for; passive particle
How to remember 给: 纟 thread + 合 join together = give. The grandmother uses red thread to join together two old scarves into one, a surprise to give her granddaughter.
Component breakdown
给 = 纟 thread + 合 join together
- 纟 thread
- 合 join together
- 亼 combine
- 口 mouth
The grandmother uses red thread to join together two old scarves into one, a surprise to give her granddaughter.
How it is used
- 'Give', and 'for / to' - 给我 (gěi wǒ) give me, 给你打电话 (gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà) call you. It marks who receives.
- It also introduces a passive/permissive in colloquial speech: 别给他看见 (bié gěi tā kànjiàn) don't let him see.
- The formal/literary reading is jǐ, as in 供给 (gōngjǐ) supply and 给予 (jǐyǔ) to grant.
Words with 给
Example sentences
- 请给我一杯水。 Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ.Please give me a glass of water.
- 我明天打电话给你。 Wǒ míngtiān dǎ diànhuà gěi nǐ.I'll call you tomorrow.
- 请给我一杯酒。 Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi jiǔ.Please give me a glass of wine.
- 给我发电邮。 Gěi wǒ fā diànyóu.Send me an email.