Verbs of Giving: 俾 bei2

The word 俾 bei2 is one of the most versatile words in Cantonese. It covers three functions that Mandarin splits across different words: giving (= 給 gěi), letting/allowing (= 讓 ràng), and passive marking (= 被 bèi). This lesson focuses on the first two; passives get their own lesson.

Giving: 俾 bei2 directly replaces Mandarin 給 gěi. The structure is the same — Subject + 俾 + Object (thing) + Recipient, or Subject + 俾 + Recipient + Object. Example: 俾本書我 bei2 bun2 syu1 ngo5 (give me a book) or 俾我本書 bei2 ngo5 bun2 syu1. Both word orders work, just like Mandarin 給我一本書 / 給一本書我.

Letting / Allowing: 俾 bei2 replaces Mandarin 讓 ràng in causative constructions. The pattern is 俾 + person + verb: 俾佢去 bei2 keoi5 heoi3 (let him go) = Mandarin 讓他去. 唔好俾佢知 m4 hou2 bei2 keoi5 zi1 (don't let him know) = Mandarin 不要讓他知道.

A very common pattern is 俾錢 bei2 cin2 (to pay — literally 'give money'). This is used universally: 俾錢啦 bei2 cin2 laa1 (let's pay / time to pay). You'll also hear 俾面 bei2 min2 (give face / show respect) and 俾心機 bei2 sam1 gei1 (put in effort — literally 'give heart-energy').

Remember that the pronunciation is bei2 (tone 2, rising). Don't confuse it with 比 bei2 (compare) — they happen to share the same Jyutping but are different characters and meanings. Context always makes it clear.