HSK 2
Correct
在 vs 到 vs 给
/ zài vs dào vs gěi /
Strokes
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Formula
1
在 + Time + do something
2
在 + Place + do something
3
Verb + 在 + Time
4
Verb + 在 + Place
5
从……到……
6
Verb + 到 + （Place/Time/Someone/Something）
7
Verb + 在 + place
8
Verb + 到 + place
9
Verb + 给 + Someone + Something
10
给 + Someone + Verb phrase
Definition
在, 到, and 给, as Prepositions (介词), Introducing different objects, to combine with Nouns or Pronouns to form Prepositional phrases, which can serve not only as Adverbials but also as complements after Verbs.
Example
在 + Verb, mainly introduces time and location - 1
在 is often omitted in the pattern of "在 + Time + do something"
在 + Time + do something
在 + Place + do something
1
Mǎlì
玛丽
shì
是
zài
在
dào
到
liǎo
了
běijīng
北京
yǐhòu
以后
cái
才
kāishǐ
开始
xué
学
hànyǔ
汉语
de
的
。
Mary started to learn Chinese after she got to Beijing.
2
Mǎlì
玛丽
zài
在
túshūguǎn
图书馆
kàn
看
shū
书
。
Mary is reading in the library.
在 + Verb, mainly introduces time and location - 2
Only some verbs can be used in the pattern "Verb + 在 + Time".
The double-syllable verbs mainly include 出生, 发生, 出现, etc.
The single-syllable verbs mainly include 定, 改, 排, 放, etc.
The double-syllable verbs mainly include 出生, 发生, 出现, etc.
The single-syllable verbs mainly include 定, 改, 排, 放, etc.
Verb + 在 + Time
Verb + 在 + Place
3
Mǎlì
玛丽
chūshēng
出生
zài
在
dōngtiān
冬天
。
Mary was born in winter.
4
Bēizi
杯子
fàngzài
放在
zhuōzi
桌子
shàng
上
。
The cup is put on the table.
到 can introduce a period, a process or the ending point of an event. It can also introduce the dropping point of an action.
1) Sometimes “Verb + 在 + place” and “Verb + 到 + place” are interchangeable. eg, 把书扔在床上。把书扔到床上。
2) "Verb + 在 + place" emphasize the static location of an item while "Verb + 到 + place" emphasize the destination, dropping point or result of an action. eg, 我们跑到书店避雨。我们买到了那本书。
2) "Verb + 在 + place" emphasize the static location of an item while "Verb + 到 + place" emphasize the destination, dropping point or result of an action. eg, 我们跑到书店避雨。我们买到了那本书。
从……到……
Verb + 到 + （Place/Time/Someone/Something）
Verb + 在 + place
Verb + 到 + place
5
Wǒ
我
měitiān
每天
shàngwǔ
上午
cóng
从
9
9
diǎn
点
dào
到
12
12
diǎn
点
shàng
上
hànyǔ
汉语
kè
课
。
I have Chinese lessons from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock every day.
6
Qīngwā
青蛙
tiào
跳
dào
到
yī
一
piān
片
yèzi
叶子
shàng
上
。
The frog jumped to a piece of leaf.
到 can introduce the result of an action.
7
(
zhǎo
找
le
了
bàntiān
半天
)
,
mǎlì
玛丽
kàndào
看到
dàwèi
大卫
le
了
。
Searched for hours, Mary saw David finally.
8
Háizi
孩子
gòu
够
dào
到
liǎo
了
shūjià
书架
shàng
上
de
的
nā
那
běn
本
shū
书
。
Child reached the book on helf.
给
It introduces the receiver of an item, service or action.
Verb + 给 + Someone + Something
给 + Someone + Verb phrase
9
Xuésheng
学生
sònggěi
送给
lǎoshī
老师
yī
一
shù
束
huā
花
。
Students give their teacher a bunch of flowers.
10
Mǎlì
玛丽
gěi
给
māma
妈妈
dǎdiànhuà
打电话
。
Mary calls her mother.
Mistake
我们跑在书店避雨。（X）
我们买在了那本书。（X）
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with 在, 到 or 给:
1. 我们每天都（ ）食堂吃饭。
2. 昨天晚上我学习学（ ）十一点多。
3. 大卫常常（ ）玛丽买礼物。
4. 十九年前我出生（ ）法国的一个小城。
5. 我的钥匙丢了，找了半天也没找（ ）。
6. 一 瓶花摆（ ）窗台上，很漂亮。
7. 我们说着笑着，一会就走（ ）了学校。
8. 爸爸累的时候，我常常（ ）他按摩。