动词 + 给

dòng cí + gěi

Verbs followed by "gei"

给 after certain verbs marks where the thing ends up.

Subj. + Verb + 给 + Recipient + Obj.

How it works

他送给我一束花 — he gave me a bunch of flowers. The 给 fuses onto the verb and introduces the recipient.

This works with verbs whose action transfers something: 送给, 卖给, 还给, 寄给, 交给.

Compare with 给 before the verb, which marks who benefits rather than who receives: 我给你做饭.

Examples

  • tā sòng gěi wǒ yí shù huā

    他送给我一束花。

    He gave me a bunch of flowers.

  • wǒ bǎ shū hái gěi tā le

    我把书还给他了。

    I gave him the book back.

  • zhè ge mài gěi nǐ ba

    这个卖给你吧。

    I'll sell it to you.