<p>My feeling is:</p>

<p>That 给 is for doing something ''for'' someone.</p>

<p>I will buy it for you. 我给你买。</p>

<p>You will do the verb for someone else.</p>

<p>And 为 is more abstract</p>

<p>I am sad for you. 我为你伤心。</p>

<p>I'm not native but I don't think you could say:</p>

<p>我为你买东西。  X</p>

<p>我给你伤心。   X</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-09T16:06:43.100Z
2020-04-09T16:06:43.100Z
Kantura
<p>If you do something 'for someone's sake' or 'on behalf of someone', you can use 给</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>[给 + noun] = [for + noun (for noun's sake)] e.g. 给我买东西 (buy thing for me = buy thing for my sake)</p>
  
  <p>[给 + noun] = [for + noun (on behalf of noun)] e.g. 给我重重打 (severely beat someone for me = beat someone on my behalf). In this case, 给 is interchangeable with 替 (on behalf of)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>If you do something 'for someone's sake', or 'because of someone' you can use 为</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>[为 + noun] = [for + noun (for noun's sake)] e.g. 为我买东西 (buy thing for me = buy thing for my sake)</p>
  
  <p>[为 + noun] = [because + noun ] e.g. 为我而受苦 (suffering because of me). In this case, 为 is interchangeable with 因 (because of)</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-11T15:58:37.593Z
In your first meaning of 给 and 为 that is "for someone's sake", what is the difference between them? E.g: 
(1) 他为我买东西.
(2) 他给我买东西.
I mean what is the difference between two sentences in terms of characteristics of action?
Jenny
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-11T17:12:44.270Z
Both  "他为我买东西"  and  "他给我买东西 "can  mean  "he buy thing for me" (for my sake)  The difference between  the two is '给' is more specific -- --  The thing is bought  for me to own, or use; while 为 is more general (他为我买东西), can also mean (he bought thing for my sake, but not necessary for me to own or use, For example:   他为我买人寿保险 could mean "I am the insured" or "he is the insured". If it was "他给我买人寿保险" then I would be the insured for sure
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-09T21:58:14.207Z
2020-04-09T22:10:28.620Z
2020-04-09T22:10:28.620Z
Tang Ho
<p>Both 给 and 为 can mean "for." Both can be used with verbs to express an action done <strong>for</strong> anyone. </p>

<p><strong>So how can I distinguish?</strong> Please make it clear. </p>

<p>Thank you so much. </p>

<difference><word>
How to distinguish between 为 and 给 when both means "for"
# How to distinguish between 为 and 给 when both means "for"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-09)

Both 给 and 为 can mean "for." Both can be used with verbs to express an action done **for** anyone.

**So how can I distinguish?** Please make it clear.

Thank you so much.

**Tags:** difference, word

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-04-09. Score: 1

My feeling is:

That 给 is for doing something ''for'' someone.

I will buy it for you. 我给你买。

You will do the verb for someone else.

And 为 is more abstract

I am sad for you. 我为你伤心。

I'm not native but I don't think you could say:

我为你买东西。 X

我给你伤心。 X


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### Answer by username_2 on 2020-04-09. Score: 1

If you do something 'for someone's sake' or 'on behalf of someone', you can use 给

> [给 + noun] = [for + noun (for noun's sake)] e.g. 给我买东西 (buy thing for me = buy thing for my sake)
>
> [给 + noun] = [for + noun (on behalf of noun)] e.g. 给我重重打 (severely beat someone for me = beat someone on my behalf). In this case, 给 is interchangeable with 替 (on behalf of)

If you do something 'for someone's sake', or 'because of someone' you can use 为

> [为 + noun] = [for + noun (for noun's sake)] e.g. 为我买东西 (buy thing for me = buy thing for my sake)
>
> [为 + noun] = [because + noun ] e.g. 为我而受苦 (suffering because of me). In this case, 为 is interchangeable with 因 (because of)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: In your first meaning of 给 and 为 that is "for someone's sake", what is the difference between them? E.g:  (1) 他为我买东西. (2) 他给我买东西. I mean what is the difference between two sentences in terms of characteristics of action?  
> **username_2**: Both  "他为我买东西"  and  "他给我买东西 "can  mean  "he buy thing for me" (for my sake)  The difference between  the two is '给' is more specific -- --  The thing is bought  for me to own, or use; while 为 is more general (他为我买东西), can also mean (he bought thing for my sake, but not necessary for me to own or use, For example:   他为我买人寿保险 could mean "I am the insured" or "he is the insured". If it was "他给我买人寿保险" then I would be the insured for sure  

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