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    Chinese Grammar

    Leaving something for someone with 留给 (liúgěi)

    Actions & Events
    Purpose & Reason

    Structure

    留给 + Person + Object

    Explanation

    留给 (liúgěi) means to leave something for someone or to save something for a person. It combines 留 (to keep/leave) and 给 (to give), expressing the act of setting aside or reserving something for another person's use.

    Examples

    • 妈妈把最大的那块蛋糕留给了弟弟。

      Māma bǎ zuìdà de nà kuài dàngāo liú gěi le dìdi.

      Mom saved the biggest piece of cake for little brother.

    • 他走之前留给我一封信,让我好好照顾自己。

      Tā zǒu zhīqián liú gěi wǒ yī fēng xìn, ràng wǒ hǎohǎo zhàogù zìjǐ.

      Before he left, he left me a letter telling me to take good care of myself.

    • 请把会议室留给下午的团队使用。

      Qǐng bǎ huìyìshì liú gěi xiàwǔ de tuánduì shǐyòng.

      Please leave the meeting room for the afternoon team to use.

    Leaving something for someone with 留给 (liúgěi) | Chinese Grammar