bei2 keoi4畀佢
Jyutpingbei2 keoi4
Yalebéi kèuih
Definition
To give to him, her, or it.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
This phrase functions as a verb-object construction where 畀 acts as the verb and 佢 acts as the indirect object. It is the standard way to express giving something to a third party in spoken Cantonese. When used with a direct object, the direct object usually precedes 畀佢, following the structure of subject, direct object, 畀佢.
Examples
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 給, which is a Mandarin term. Always use 畀 in spoken Cantonese, and remember that 畀佢 can also mean to let someone do something, such as in 畀佢走, meaning let him go.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
