jiè gěi: 借给 - To Lend; To Lend to

• Keywords: 借给, jiè gěi, jie gei, to lend in Chinese, lend to, loan, Chinese verb for lend, how to use 借给, difference between 借 and 借给, borrowing and lending in China, Chinese grammar lend, HSK 3 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 借给 (jiè gěi), which means “to lend” or “to lend to.” This page provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to use 借给 correctly, breaking down the characters, exploring cultural nuances of lending in China, and contrasting it with its ambiguous root verb 借 (jiè). Through clear examples and analysis, you'll master how to talk about lending money, books, and other items in everyday conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiè gěi
• Part of Speech: Verb (Resultative Verb Compound)
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To lend something to someone.
• In a Nutshell: `借给` is a verb that specifically and unambiguously means “to lend.” It combines the action `借` (which can mean both borrow or lend) with the result/direction `给` (to give), clarifying that the action is directed outwards from the speaker or subject. Think of it as “to borrow-give,” which logically means “to lend.”

• 借 (jiè): This character is made of the person radical 亻(rén) on the left and 昔 (xī) on the right. It represents an action between people concerning something (昔, originally meaning “past” or “dried meat”) that must be accounted for or returned. By itself, `借` is ambiguous and can mean both “to borrow” and “to lend.”
• 给 (gěi): This character means “to give.” It consists of the silk radical 纟(sī) and the phonetic component 合 (hé). It signifies the act of providing or giving something to another person.

When combined, `给 (gěi)` acts as a directional complement to `借 (jiè)`. It resolves the ambiguity of `借` by indicating the direction of the action is “outward” or “giving.” Therefore, `借给` can only mean one thing: to lend.

In China, the act of lending, especially money, is deeply intertwined with social relationships (`关系 - guānxi`) and personal favor (`人情 - rénqíng`). While in the West, lending money between friends can sometimes be seen as awkward or risky, in China it is a common way to show trust and support within one's inner circle. Lending is often done based on trust rather than a formal contract. A refusal to lend money to a close friend or family member in need could cause a serious loss of “face” (`面子 - miànzi`) for both parties and damage the relationship. Conversely, once you lend someone something, you create a bond of `人情` (rénqíng), an obligation for them to repay the favor in the future, not necessarily with money but perhaps with help or support. This contrasts with the more transactional nature of Western concepts like a “loan,” which is typically governed by clear terms and interest rates, even between friends (e.g., using payment apps to track debts).

`借给` is a very common and practical verb used in daily life.

• Informal Daily Life: It's used for lending everyday objects. “Can you lend me your pen?” or “I lent him my umbrella.”
• Financial Situations: This is one of the most common contexts. It's used frequently when discussing lending money to friends, family, or colleagues. While banks issue `贷款 (dàikuǎn, loans)`, individuals `借给` money to each other.
• Formality: The term `借给` itself is neutral in formality and can be used in most situations. A more formal, written term for lending is `出借 (chūjiè)`.

The standard sentence structure is: Subject (Lender) + 借给 + Recipient + Object `我 借给 他 一本书。` (Wǒ jiè gěi tā yī běn shū.) - I lent him a book.

• Example 1:
  • 我可以借给你这本书，但是下周请还给我。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kěyǐ jiè gěi nǐ zhè běn shū, dànshì xià zhōu qǐng huán gěi wǒ.
  • English: I can lend you this book, but please return it to me next week.
  • Analysis: A classic example of the structure “Subject + 借给 + Recipient + Object.” The sentence clearly states the condition of the loan.
• Example 2:
  • 他把他的车借给我用了三天。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ tā de chē jiè gěi wǒ yòngle sān tiān.
  • English: He lent me his car to use for three days.
  • Analysis: This example uses the `把 (bǎ)` structure to emphasize the object (his car) being lent out.
• Example 3:
  • 你能不能借给我一点儿钱？我忘了带钱包。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bùnéng jiè gěi wǒ yīdiǎnr qián? Wǒ wàngle dài qiánbāo.
  • English: Can you lend me a little money? I forgot to bring my wallet.
  • Analysis: A very common and practical question. `能不能 (néng bùnéng)` makes the request polite.
• Example 4:
  • 银行不肯借给我们公司那么多钱。
  • Pinyin: Yínháng bù kěn jiè gěi wǒmen gōngsī nàme duō qián.
  • English: The bank is not willing to lend our company that much money.
  • Analysis: Shows that `借给` can be used for institutions like banks as the subject.
• Example 5:
  • 我朋友去年借给我五千块，我下个月就还清。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ péngyǒu qùnián jiè gěi wǒ wǔqiān kuài, wǒ xià gè yuè jiù huán qīng.
  • English: My friend lent me 5,000 yuan last year, and I will pay it all back next month.
  • Analysis: This example clearly defines the lender (my friend) as the subject of `借给`.
• Example 6:
  • 我从来不把我的相机借给任何人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ cónglái bu bǎ wǒ de xiàngjī jiè gěi rènhé rén.
  • English: I never lend my camera to anyone.
  • Analysis: A negative sentence using `从来不 (cónglái bu)` to mean “never.”
• Example 7:
  • 他很大方，谁需要帮忙他都愿意借给他们钱。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn dàfāng, shéi xūyào bāngmáng tā dōu yuànyì jiè gěi tāmen qián.
  • English: He is very generous; whoever needs help, he is willing to lend them money.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a person's character trait using their willingness to perform the action of `借给`.
• Example 8:
  • 你已经借给他太多钱了，他不一定会还。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǐjīng jiè gěi tā tài duō qián le, tā bù yīdìng huì huán.
  • English: You have already lent him too much money; he might not pay it back.
  • Analysis: A sentence of advice or warning, using `已经…了 (yǐjīng…le)` for a completed action.
• Example 9:
  • 这把伞是小王借给我的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bǎ sǎn shì Xiǎo Wáng jiè gěi wǒ de.
  • English: This umbrella was lent to me by Xiao Wang. (Xiao Wang lent me this umbrella.)
  • Analysis: This uses the `是…的 (shì…de)` structure to emphasize the agent (Xiao Wang) who performed the action of lending.
• Example 10:
  • 如果你把钱借给他，就别指望能拿回来了。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bǎ qián jiè gěi tā, jiù bié zhǐwàng néng ná huílái le.
  • English: If you lend him the money, don't expect to get it back.
  • Analysis: A conditional sentence using `如果…就… (rúguǒ…jiù…)`.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing `借 (jiè)` and `借给 (jiè gěi)`.

• `借 (jiè)` is ambiguous: It can mean “to borrow” OR “to lend.” You must rely on context, usually prepositions like `跟 (gēn)` or `向 (xiàng)`.
  • `我 跟 他 借 钱。` (Wǒ gēn tā jiè qián.) → I borrow money from him.
  • `他 借 钱 给 我。` (Tā jiè qián gěi wǒ.) → He lends money to me. (Here `给` clarifies the direction).
• `借给 (jiè gěi)` is unambiguous: It ONLY means “to lend.” It bakes the direction right into the verb.
  • `他 借给 我 钱。` (Tā jiè gěi wǒ qián.) → He lends me money.

Common Mistake: A learner wants to say “I borrowed a book from him” and says:

• INCORRECT: 我 借给 他一本书。 (Wǒ jiè gěi tā yī běn shū.)
• Why it's wrong: This sentence means “I lent him a book.” The roles are reversed.
• CORRECT: 我 跟 他 借 了一本书。 (Wǒ gēn tā jiè le yī běn shū.)

Rule of thumb: If you are the one LENDING, use `借给`. If you are the one BORROWING, use `跟 (gēn)` + Person + `借 (jiè)`.

• 借 (jiè) - The base verb, meaning either “to borrow” or “to lend” depending on context. `借给` is the specific “lend” form.
• 还 (huán) - The direct antonym: “to return” something that was borrowed.
• 借钱 (jièqián) - A common verb-object phrase meaning “to borrow/lend money.”
• 贷款 (dàikuǎn) - A formal loan, especially from a bank or financial institution.
• 出借 (chūjiè) - A more formal, often written, term for “to lend” or “to loan out.”
• 欠 (qiàn) - To owe. After you borrow, you `欠` the other person.
• 债 (zhài) - Debt. The thing that is owed.
• 人情 (rénqíng) - The social obligation or favor that is created through acts like lending and borrowing.
• 关系 (guānxi) - Social networks and relationships, which often form the basis for who one is willing to lend to.