Grammar Point:
The common function between the Chinese words 对 duì and 给 gěi is that they can both be used as prepositions to introduce the target object.
對/对 duì
In Chinese, 对 duì can have various meanings and functions depending on the context, but when using it as a preposition, it means “to” or “towards” an object or target.
S + 對/对 + Object + Verb
她對我說,我是笨蛋她对我说,我是笨蛋
She told me I’m a fool.
每次我的狗對空氣大叫,我都很害怕每次我的狗对空气大叫,我都很害怕
Every time my dog barks at the air, I get scared.
孩子對老師笑孩子对老师笑
The child smiled at the teacher.
你對海鮮過敏嗎?你对海鲜过敏吗?
Are you allergic to seafood?
她對公司有很多不滿她对公司有很多不满
She has a lot of dissatisfaction with the company.
S + 對/对 + Object + Adjective
男朋友對我很好男朋友对我很好
My boyfriend treats me well.
加拿大人對人很客氣加拿大人对人很客气
Canadians are polite to others.
我對沒有很多錢的工作沒耐心我对没有很多钱的工作没耐心
I am not patient with jobs that don’t pay well.
我對名牌包沒興趣我对名牌包没兴趣
I am not interested in luxury handbags.
你不覺得小王對小美有意思嗎?你不觉得小王对小美有意思吗?
Don’t you think Xiao Wang has feelings for Xiao Mei?
我的父母對我很失望我的父母对我很失望
My parents are very disappointed in me.
我對Tiffany的課很滿意我对Tiffany的课很满意
I am satisfied with Tiffany’s class.
給/给 gěi
In Chinese, 给 gěi also have various meanings and functions depending on the context, but when using it as a preposition, it means “to” or “for” an object or target.
S + 給/給 + Object + Verb Phrase
我要給我家人打電話我要给我家人打电话
I want to call my family.
她的生日快到了,你要給她送什麼禮物?她的生日快到了,你要给她送什么礼物?
Her birthday is coming soon. What gift do you want to give her?
台北朋友給我介紹了超好吃的湯包台北朋友给我介绍了超好吃的汤包 🤩
A friend from Taipei introduced me to a supper yummy soup dumpling.
我給大家照張相吧我给大家照张相吧
Let’s take a photo together.
我想給你過生日我想给你过生日
I want to celebrate your birthday.
你給我們推薦幾道好吃的菜吧你给我们推荐几道好吃的菜吧
Can you recommend some delicious dishes to us?
我還沒給她匯這個月的錢我还没给她汇这个月的钱
I haven’t sent her the money for this month yet.
S + Verb Phrase + 給/給 + Object
This structure can only be used when 給 gěi means “to,” and it is commonly used in Taiwan and some southern parts of China.
我要打電話給我家人我要打电话给我家人
I want to call my family.
你要送什麼禮物給她?你要送什么礼物给她?
What gift do you want to give her?
我還沒匯這個月的錢給她我还没汇这个月的钱给她
I haven’t sent her the money for this month yet.
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ Do you want me to buy you a cup of coffee?
要我給你買杯咖啡嗎?要我给你买杯咖啡吗?
✔️ Parents must take responsibility for their children’s behavior.
父母必須對孩子的行為負責父母必须对孩子的行为负责
✔️ Are you interested in learning Chinese?
你對學中文感興趣嗎?你对学习汉语感兴趣吗?