给
give; let; be; for; auxiliary particle
Meanings
7 senses · 35 examplesverb
to give; to grant; to inflict
neutralCan be used for tangible objects, abstract impressions, or punitive actions.
Uncle gave him a pen.
Hangzhou left a very good impression on me.
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We dealt a heavy blow to the enemy.
A friend sent me a birthday gift in the mail.
This heavy rain brought severe urban flooding to the city.
verb
to let; to allow; to cause
neutralHas two sub-uses: one to let someone do a task, another to permit an action.
The farm set aside a plot of land for them to conduct experiments.
He kept the letter and refused to let anyone read it.
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The teacher explained this math problem to us.
Mom won't let me buy that expensive toy.
The boss raised the salaries of the employees.
preposition
to indicate transfer of action
neutralRequired after verbs without inherent giving meaning, optional after verbs with inherent giving meaning.
Give him a novel as a gift.
Hand this report over to the teacher.
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He dedicated all his savings to his motherland.
Please pass this package to me.
I gave him a book in return as a repayment.
preposition
for; on behalf of
neutralUsed to indicate the beneficiary of an action.
He acted as an interpreter for us.
The doctor treated them for their illnesses.
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Mom made a rich dinner for me.
Volunteers delivered stationery to children in mountainous areas.
The chef demonstrated the hand-pulled noodle craft for us.
preposition
to; toward; to introduce action object
neutralLimited usage in standard Mandarin; standard Mandarin typically uses '向' or '跟' instead in most cases.
The children saluted the teacher.
He bowed to me to apologize.
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The tourists asked the tour guide many questions.
The students wrote a proposal letter to the principal.
The customer handed a menu to the waiter.
preposition
by; to be subjected to
neutralUsed to indicate that the subject suffers an adverse action.
The sheep was eaten by the wolf.
The big tree was broken by a cannonball.
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My mobile phone was stolen by a thief.
The window was broken by the strong wind.
His plan was disrupted by an accident.
auxiliary
emphasizing passive/dispositional mood
informalUsed to add emphasis to passive or dispositional sentences, often interchangeable with '被' or optional in some cases.
The trouser legs were completely soaked by the dew.
The younger brother broke the vase.
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I have a bad memory, I'll probably forget it.
He lost his newly bought mobile phone.
Mom burned the freshly made cake.