Not sure when to use 对, 给 or 为? Today we’ll explain when to use each of these prepositions and how to tell them apart.
对 [duì]
We can translate this in English as "with" or "for" when talking about a relationship, feeling, or attitude towards someone or something (it is paired with an adjective).
| Examples | ||
|---|---|---|
| hanzi | pinyin | meaning |
| 看中国电影对学中文很有帮助 | kàn zhōngguó diànyǐng duì xué zhōngwén hěn yǒu bāngzhù | Watching Chinese movies is very helpful for learning Chinese |
| 每天喝水对身体很好 | měitiān hē shuǐ duì shēntǐ hěn hǎo | Drinking water every day is good for your health |
| 姐姐对这套房子很满意 | jiějie duì zhè tào fángzǐ hěn mǎnyì | My sister is very pleased with this house |
| 老师对学生很好 | lǎoshī duì xuéshēng hěn hǎo | The teacher is very nice with students |
It is often used to describe an action happening to someone or something. In this case, it is common to translate it as "to” or “at”.
| Example | ||
|---|---|---|
| hanzi | pinyin | meaning |
| 他对你笑了 | tā duì nǐ xiào le | He smiled at you |
为 [wèi]
This is more common in formal contexts. We translate it as “for”, “on”, “for the sake of” or “on behalf of”. It is used to indicate a feeling towards someone.
| Example | ||
|---|---|---|
| hanzi | pinyin | meaning |
| 我为你很高兴 | wǒ wéi nǐ hěn gāo xīng | I am very happy for you |
It often implies that something is being done in favor of someone/something or with a specific purpose, sometimes out of obligation.
| Example | ||
|---|---|---|
| hanzi | pinyin | meaning |
| 为这件事，他花了很多时间 | wéi zhè jiàn shì, tā huā le hěn duō shíjiān | He spent a lot of time on this matter |
To indicate that we work for, on behalf of or represent a company or organisation.
| Example | ||
|---|---|---|
| hanzi | pinyin | meaning |
| 她为政府工作 | tā wéi zhèngfǔ gōngzuò | She works for the government |
给 [gěi]
Sometimes this is interchangeable with 为, but 给 is more informal. We translate it as "to" or "for". It is used to indicate that something is being given, done, or directed towards someone or something, usually out of kindness or friendship.
| Example | ||
|---|---|---|
| hanzi | pinyin | meaning |
| 哥哥给我洗衣服 | gēge gěi wǒ xǐ yīfú | My brother washes my clothes for me |
It often involves a transfer or action directed at a recipient. We would use 给 with the following verbs: 发 [fā], 写 [xiě], 送 [sòng], 教 [jiào], 做 [zuò], 介绍 [jièshào] y 打电话 [dǎdiànhuà].
