给我
gěi wǒ
The Chinese phrase for "give me" is 给我 (gěi wǒ).
The phrase 给我 is used to express a preference. You can make the request more polite by adding 请 before the phrase, resulting in 请给我 (please give me). In casual conversations, adding 吧 at the end to form 给我吧 can mean "give it to me" or "give me that," adding a sense of suggestion or desire to the request. Alternatively, 给我一下 can be used informally to mean "give it to me for a moment" or "let me have it briefly."
Meaning: expression of preference (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of two parts: 给, which means "to give" and 我, which means "me" or "I".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using 给我 directly as an imperative can sound blunt or demanding depending on the tone and context.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many natural sentences, the 把 construction is used to indicate that an object should be moved or handed to the speaker. For example, in the sentence 把勺子给我, the structure indicates that the spoon should be given to the speaker.
How do you pronounce it?
gěi wǒ
Did you know?
- The character 我 (me) was originally a pictograph of a weapon, suggesting that the concept of 'self' in early Chinese script was linked to protection or strength.
- While 给我 is the direct translation, in a restaurant, people often use 来 (come) instead of 给 to order food, as in 来一个面 (bring me a noodle).
- Using 给我 in a sentence like 给我安静 does not mean 'give me silence' as a gift, but is a sharp command meaning 'shut up' or 'be quiet'.
Examples in context
- 把勺子给我。Give me the spoon.This sentence shows how to use the 把 construction to ask someone to give you a spoon.Tatoeba #430661 by GlossaMatik, translation #430660 by CM
- 给我搞点水！Give me some water!Tatoeba #7781774 by jiangche, translation #7347591 by Eccles17
- 给我支香烟吧。Give me a cigarette.Tatoeba #4267340 by notabene, translation #568598 by CM
- 请给我一杯水。Please give me a glass of water.
- 请给我一本书。Please give me a book.
- 那个漂亮的项链，给我吧！That beautiful necklace, give it to me!
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are at a restaurant ordering drinks.
- 伟 Wei雨婷，你想喝什么？Yǔtíng, nǐ xiǎng hē shénme?Yuting, what do you want to drink?
- 雨婷 Yuting给我一杯冰可乐。Gěi wǒ yī bēi bīng kělè.Give me a glass of iced cola.
- 伟 Wei好的，那我点两杯。Hǎo de, nà wǒ diǎn liǎng bēi.Okay, I'll order two then.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢你，伟。Xièxie nǐ, Wěi.Thank you, Wei.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
