City University of Hong Kong CLASS CLASS
Making Sense of Grammar
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asked Dec 8, 2020 in Questions about Chinese Grammar by Ariel (34,480 points) | 143 views

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A dative construction with 给 gěi may be expressed as a serial construction, with the first verb governing the direct object, and the second verb, 给 gěi, relating to the indirect object:

观众献了一束花给演员。

Guān zhòng xiàn le yī shù huā gěi yǎn yuán 。

The audience presented a bouquet of flowers to the actor.

领事馆发了一张签证给他。

Lǐng shì guǎn fā le yī zhāng qiān zhèng gěi tā 。

The consulate issued him with a visa.

[1] Yip, P. C., Rimmington, D., Xiaoming, Z., & Henson, R. (2009). Basic Chinese: a grammar and workbook. Taylor & Francis.
answered Dec 8, 2020 by Ariel (34,480 points)

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