Kilo Lingo

Mandarin · Chapter 16 · Lesson 9 · Common mistake

给 or 为?

One hands something over. The other acts on someone's behalf.

The rule

给 (gei3) marks who RECEIVES something: 给我一杯水. 为 (wei4) marks who something is done FOR, in the sense of on their behalf or for their benefit. English uses for for both, so this needs deciding every time.

Pick the right one

0/6

Pick the right one: 给 or 为.

  1. 我一杯水。 (give me a glass of water)

    ___ wǒ yì bēi shuǐ 。 (give me a glass of water)

  2. 我你高兴。 (I am happy for you)

    wǒ ___ nǐ gāo xìng 。 (I am happy for you)

  3. 他我买了东西。 (he bought something for me)

    tā ___ wǒ mǎi le dōng xī 。 (he bought something for me)

  4. 他什么这样做？ (why does he do this?)

    tā ___ shén me zhè yàng zuò ？ (why does he do this?)

  5. 请我打电话。 (please call me)

    qǐng ___ wǒ dǎ diàn huà 。 (please call me)

  6. 我们他做的。 (we did it for his sake)

    wǒ men ___ tā zuò de 。 (we did it for his sake)