[Learn basic Chinese with grammar] How to use 給 and 對 for people and targets

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給 and 對 both point to people

In Chinese, 給 ♬ and 對 ♬ can both connect an action to a person, but they do different jobs.

Word	Basic meaning	Main use
給 ♬	to; for; give	giving or doing something for someone
對 ♬	to; toward	speech, attitude, or direction toward someone

Do not translate English “to” directly every time. Choose 給 or 對 based on the action.

1. 給: give something to someone

Use 給 ♬ when something is given or passed to another person.

Pattern	Meaning
Subject + 給 + Person + Thing	Subject gives someone something

Chinese	English
主管給新人一張名片。 ♬	The manager gives the new employee a business card.
奶奶給孩子一個紅包。 ♬	Grandma gives the child a red envelope.

Here, the thing moves from one person to another.

2. 給: do something for someone

給 ♬ can also mean doing something for someone. The person after 給 receives the help or benefit.

Pattern	Meaning
Subject + 給 + Person + Verb	Subject does something for someone

Chinese	English
助理給客戶影印資料。 ♬	The assistant makes copies for the client.
藥師給病人說明用法。 ♬	The pharmacist explains the usage to the patient.

In these sentences, 給 shows who the action is done for.

3. 對: speak to someone

Use 對 ♬ when the action is directed toward a person, especially with speaking, asking, or explaining.

Pattern	Meaning
Subject + 對 + Person + Verb	Subject does or says something to someone

Chinese	English
導遊對旅客介紹路線。 ♬	The tour guide introduces the route to the travelers.
主持人對觀眾打招呼。 ♬	The host greets the audience.

Here, 對 shows the target of speech or communication.

4. 對: attitude toward someone or something

對 ♬ is also common when talking about attitude, feeling, or treatment toward someone or something.

Pattern	Meaning
Subject + 對 + Target + Adjective / phrase	Subject has an attitude toward the target

Chinese	English
他對這個計畫很有信心。 ♬	He is very confident about this plan.
老師對每個學生都很耐心。 ♬	The teacher is very patient with every student.

5. 給 and 對 can sometimes both appear with explanation

With verbs like “explain,” both 給 and 對 may appear in natural Chinese, but the feeling is not exactly the same.

Chinese	English	Feeling
我給同事說明流程。 ♬	I explain the process for / to my coworker.	The coworker receives the explanation
我對同事說明流程。 ♬	I explain the process to my coworker.	The coworker is the target of speech

For beginners, use 給 when someone receives help or a thing, and use 對 when the focus is direction, speech, or attitude.

Useful words and example sentences