Learn a Chinese Character - 给 (Gěi - To Give)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 纟 (sī, silk, indicates thread or connection)

Stroke Count: 9

Stroke Order:

Structure Analysis: Left-right structure. The left part "纟" (silk) is the semantic component, and the right part "合" (hé, to close) is the phonetic component.

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Gěi (Third tone)

3. Meaning

Core Meaning: To give; to provide; to allow; for; to; by

Explanation: One of the most common verbs in Chinese, primarily used to indicate the action of giving something to someone. It can also be used as a preposition to indicate direction or recipient.

4. Common Words

• 给你 (gěi nǐ) - Here you are; For you
  Example: 给你一本书。(Gěi nǐ yī běn shū.) - Here's a book for you.
• 给予 (jǐ yǔ) - To give; To grant (more formal)
  Example: 给予帮助。(Jǐ yǔ bāng zhù.) - To give help.
• 送给 (sòng gěi) - To give as a gift
  Example: 我送给他一个礼物。(Wǒ sòng gěi tā yī gè lǐ wù.) - I gave him a gift.
• 交给 (jiāo gěi) - To hand over to; To entrust to
  Example: 把文件交给经理。(Bǎ wén jiàn jiāo gěi jīng lǐ.) - Hand the document to the manager.
• 供给 (gōng jǐ) - To supply; To provide
  Example: 供给食物和水。(Gōng jǐ shí wù hé shuǐ.) - To supply food and water.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Verb; Preposition

Usage Patterns:

• As a verb: Subject + 给 + Recipient + Object
  Example: 妈妈给我钱。(Mā ma gěi wǒ qián.) - Mom gives me money.
• As a preposition: 把 + Object + 给 + Recipient
  Example: 我把书给你。(Wǒ bǎ shū gěi nǐ.) - I'll give you the book.
• Indicating permission: 给 + Verb
  Example: 他不给我进去。(Tā bù gěi wǒ jìn qù.) - He won't let me in.

Common Collocations:

• 给面子 (gěi miàn zi) - To give face; To show respect
• 给机会 (gěi jī huì) - To give a chance
• 给答复 (gěi dá fù) - To give a reply
• 给教训 (gěi jiào xun) - To teach a lesson

6. Cultural Background

The character "给" (gěi) plays a significant role in Chinese social interactions, reflecting cultural values of generosity, reciprocity, and interpersonal relationships.

Cultural Significance:

• In Chinese culture, the act of "giving" (给) is often associated with maintaining social harmony and building relationships.
• Traditional Chinese philosophy emphasizes the importance of giving without expecting immediate回报 (huí bào, reward).
• The concept of "给面子" (giving face) is particularly important in Chinese social etiquette, referring to showing respect or honoring someone.

Historical Context: The character has ancient origins, with its usage dating back to classical Chinese texts, where it primarily meant "to supply" or "to provide."

Modern Usage: In contemporary Chinese society, "给" remains one of the most frequently used verbs in daily communication, reflecting its enduring importance in expressing interpersonal exchanges.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

• Component Association: Remember that "给" consists of "纟" (silk) and "合" (to close). Imagine tying a silk ribbon and giving it as a gift.
• Sound Association: The right part "合" (hé) sounds similar to the second tone pronunciation of "给" (jǐ), which is another common pronunciation.
• Gesture Memory: When saying "给" (gěi), make a gesture of giving something with your hand to reinforce the meaning.
• Common Phrases: Practice common phrases like "给你" (here you are) and "给我" (give me) to remember the character in context.