This lesson explores the English word "to" and its various Chinese equivalents. Unlike English, which uses one word "to" for many purposes, Mandarin Chinese employs different words depending on the specific meaning and grammatical function. The main Chinese translations for "to" include 到 (dào - arriving at), 去 (qù - going to), 给 (gěi - giving to), 向 (xiàng - toward/in direction of), 对 (duì - toward/regarding), and 为了 (wèile - in order to).
For a complete index of lessons and course materials, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Q: What does "to" mean in Mandarin Chinese? A: The English word "to" has multiple Chinese translations depending on context. The most common are: 到 (dào) meaning "to arrive at/reach," 去 (qù) meaning "to go to," 给 (gěi) meaning "to give to," 向 (xiàng) meaning "toward," 对 (duì) meaning "to/regarding," and 为了 (wèile) meaning "in order to."
This lesson presents 15 varied examples showing different Chinese equivalents of "to" in natural contexts. You'll encounter directional uses (going to places), purposive uses (in order to), dative uses (giving to someone), and communicative uses (speaking to someone).
Subject: Language Learning - Mandarin Chinese Level: Beginner to Intermediate Type: Reading Comprehension and Grammar Focus: Understanding multiple translations of English "to" in Mandarin Chinese Method: Interlinear glossing with pronunciation guides
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English "to" has no single Chinese equivalent -
Context determines which Chinese word to use -
到 (dào) indicates arrival or reaching -
去 (qù) indicates going or movement -
给 (gěi) indicates giving or beneficiary -
向 (xiàng) indicates direction -
对 (duì) indicates orientation or regarding -
为了 (wèile) indicates purpose
12.1 我 (wǒ) I 想 (xiǎng) want 去 (qù) to-go 北京 (běi-jīng) Beijing 看 (kàn) see 长城 (cháng-chéng) Great-Wall
12.2 请 (qǐng) please 给 (gěi) to-give 我 (wǒ) me 一 (yī) one 杯 (bēi) cup 茶 (chá) tea
12.3 他 (tā) he 走 (zǒu) walk 向 (xiàng) toward 学校 (xué-xiào) school 的 (de) possessive 方向 (fāng-xiàng) direction
12.4 火车 (huǒ-chē) train 到 (dào) to-arrive 上海 (shàng-hǎi) Shanghai 了 (le) completed-action
12.5 她 (tā) she 对 (duì) to/regarding 老师 (lǎo-shī) teacher 说 (shuō) speak 谢谢 (xiè-xie) thank-you
12.6 为了 (wèi-le) in-order-to 学习 (xué-xí) study 中文 (zhōng-wén) Chinese 我 (wǒ) I 每天 (měi-tiān) every-day 练习 (liàn-xí) practice
12.7 孩子们 (hái-zi-men) children 跑 (pǎo) run 到 (dào) to/reaching 公园 (gōng-yuán) park 里 (lǐ) inside 玩 (wán) play
12.8 请 (qǐng) please 寄 (jì) mail 这 (zhè) this 封 (fēng) measure-word 信 (xìn) letter 给 (gěi) to 我的 (wǒ-de) my 朋友 (péng-you) friend
12.9 飞机 (fēi-jī) airplane 飞 (fēi) fly 向 (xiàng) toward 东方 (dōng-fāng) east
12.10 学生 (xué-shēng) student 回答 (huí-dá) answer 对 (duì) to/correctly 了 (le) completed-action
12.11 妈妈 (mā-ma) mother 去 (qù) to-go 市场 (shì-chǎng) market 买 (mǎi) buy 菜 (cài) vegetables
12.12 他们 (tā-men) they 搬 (bān) move 到 (dào) to 新 (xīn) new 房子 (fáng-zi) house 了 (le) completed-action
12.13 老板 (lǎo-bǎn) boss 发 (fā) send 邮件 (yóu-jiàn) email 给 (gěi) to 所有 (suǒ-yǒu) all 员工 (yuán-gōng) employees
12.14 鸟 (niǎo) bird 飞 (fēi) fly 向 (xiàng) toward 南方 (nán-fāng) south 过冬 (guò-dōng) spend-winter
12.15 为了 (wèi-le) in-order-to 健康 (jiàn-kāng) health 他 (tā) he 决定 (jué-dìng) decide 戒烟 (jiè-yān) quit-smoking
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12.1 我想去北京看长城。I want to go to Beijing to see the Great Wall.
12.2 请给我一杯茶。Please give a cup of tea to me.
12.3 他走向学校的方向。He walks toward the direction of the school.
12.4 火车到上海了。The train has arrived to Shanghai.
12.5 她对老师说谢谢。She says thank you to the teacher.
12.6 为了学习中文，我每天练习。In order to study Chinese, I practice every day.
12.7 孩子们跑到公园里玩。The children run to the park to play.
12.8 请寄这封信给我的朋友。Please mail this letter to my friend.
12.9 飞机飞向东方。The airplane flies toward the east.
12.10 学生回答对了。The student answered correctly.
12.11 妈妈去市场买菜。Mother goes to the market to buy vegetables.
12.12 他们搬到新房子了。They have moved to a new house.
12.13 老板发邮件给所有员工。The boss sends emails to all employees.
12.14 鸟飞向南方过冬。Birds fly to the south to spend winter.
12.15 为了健康，他决定戒烟。For the sake of health, he decided to quit smoking.
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12.1 我想去北京看长城。
12.2 请给我一杯茶。
12.3 他走向学校的方向。
12.4 火车到上海了。
12.5 她对老师说谢谢。
12.6 为了学习中文，我每天练习。
12.7 孩子们跑到公园里玩。
12.8 请寄这封信给我的朋友。
12.9 飞机飞向东方。
12.10 学生回答对了。
12.11 妈妈去市场买菜。
12.12 他们搬到新房子了。
12.13 老板发邮件给所有员工。
12.14 鸟飞向南方过冬。
12.15 为了健康，他决定戒烟。
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The English preposition "to" corresponds to several different words in Mandarin Chinese, each with specific uses:
Used when indicating arrival or the endpoint of movement. -
Structure: Verb + 到 + Place -
Example: 走到学校 (walk to school) -
Note: Often paired with 了 to indicate completed arrival
Used for movement toward a destination. -
Structure: Subject + 去 + Place + (Verb) -
Example: 我去商店 (I go to the store) -
Can be followed by another verb indicating purpose
Used as a dative marker indicating the recipient. -
Structure: Verb + 给 + Person + Object -
Example: 送给朋友礼物 (give a gift to a friend) -
Can also mean "for the benefit of"
Used for directional movement without necessarily reaching the destination. -
Structure: Verb + 向 + Direction/Place -
Example: 向东走 (walk toward the east) -
More abstract than 到
Used when directing speech or actions toward someone. -
Structure: 对 + Person + Verb -
Example: 对他说 (speak to him) -
Also means "regarding" or "about"
Used to express purpose or reason. -
Structure: 为了 + Purpose/Goal + Main Action -
Example: 为了减肥，她开始跑步 (In order to lose weight, she started running)
-
Using 去 when you mean arrival -
Wrong: 我去了 (implies going, not arriving) -
Right: 我到了 (I have arrived) -
Confusing 给 placement -
Wrong: 我给一本书他 -
Right: 我给他一本书 (I give him a book) -
Using 到 for future intentions -
Wrong: 我到北京明天 -
Right: 我明天去北京 (I will go to Beijing tomorrow) -
Mixing up 向 and 往 -
向 is more formal and indicates general direction -
往 is more colloquial and indicates movement -
Forgetting 了 with 到 -
When indicating completed arrival, 了 is usually needed -
他到了 (He has arrived) vs. 他到 (He arrives/is arriving)
-
Is it about physical arrival? → Use 到 -
Is it about going/traveling? → Use 去 -
Is it giving something to someone? → Use 给 -
Is it about direction without arrival? → Use 向 -
Is it about speaking/facing someone? → Use 对 -
Is it about purpose? → Use 为了
Movement and Location: -
去 (qù): going to [destination not yet reached] -
到 (dào): arriving at/to [destination reached] -
向 (xiàng): toward [direction without specific endpoint] -
往 (wǎng): in the direction of [colloquial]
Recipients and Beneficiaries: -
给 (gěi): to/for someone [dative marker] -
对 (duì): to/regarding someone [in communication]
Purpose: -
为了 (wèile): in order to [purpose clause] -
来 (lái) + verb: come to do something -
去 (qù) + verb: go to do something
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The multiple translations of "to" in Mandarin reflect important aspects of Chinese thought and culture. Chinese makes distinctions that English doesn't, revealing a more nuanced view of movement, purpose, and relationships.
The distinction between 去 (going) and 到 (arriving) reflects Chinese emphasis on process versus completion. In Chinese culture, the journey is often as important as the destination. This linguistic distinction encourages speakers to think about whether they're emphasizing the movement or the arrival.
The use of 给 (gěi) and 对 (duì) in interpersonal contexts reflects Chinese attention to social relationships. When giving something 给 someone or speaking 对 someone, the choice of verb and structure can indicate respect, formality, or social distance.
为了 (wèile) structures are common in Chinese because stating one's purpose or motivation is culturally important. Chinese communication often emphasizes why something is being done, not just what is being done.
The variety of directional markers (向, 往, 朝) shows how Chinese conceptualizes space and movement differently from English. Direction is often more important than in English, with speakers regularly specifying eastward, westward, upward, or downward movement.
In requests, the placement of 给 can affect politeness levels. 请给我... (please give to me) is more polite than 给我... (give me), showing how word order affects social interaction.
In contemporary Chinese, especially in digital communication, some "to" constructions are being simplified. Young people might drop certain particles in casual texting, but formal writing maintains all distinctions.
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From "The Dream of the Red Chamber" (红楼梦) by Cao Xueqin, Chapter 3:
黛玉 (dài-yù) Daiyu 忙 (máng) hurriedly 起身 (qǐ-shēn) rise-body 迎 (yíng) greet 上 (shàng) up 来 (lái) come 笑 (xiào) smile 道 (dào) say ： : " " 嫂子 (sǎo-zi) sister-in-law 请 (qǐng) please 坐 (zuò) sit 。 . 我 (wǒ) I 不过 (bù-guò) merely 是 (shì) am 来 (lái) come 给 (gěi) to-give 姑妈 (gū-mā) aunt 请安 (qǐng-ān) pay-respects ， , 问问 (wèn-wen) ask-ask 姐妹们 (jiě-mèi-men) sisters 好 (hǎo) well 。 . " " 王夫人 (wáng-fū-rén) Lady-Wang 便 (biàn) then 命 (mìng) order 丫鬟 (yā-huán) maid 倒 (dào) pour 茶 (chá) tea 给 (gěi) to 黛玉 (dài-yù) Daiyu 。 .
黛玉忙起身迎上来笑道："嫂子请坐。我不过是来给姑妈请安，问问姐妹们好。"王夫人便命丫鬟倒茶给黛玉。
Daiyu hurriedly rose to greet her with a smile, saying: "Sister-in-law, please sit. I have merely come to pay my respects to aunt and to ask after my sisters." Lady Wang then ordered the maid to pour tea for Daiyu.
黛玉忙起身迎上来笑道："嫂子请坐。我不过是来给姑妈请安，问问姐妹们好。"王夫人便命丫鬟倒茶给黛玉。
This passage demonstrates two uses of 给: -
来给姑妈请安 - "come to pay respects to aunt" -
Here 给 indicates the beneficiary of the action -
Structure: Verb (来) + 给 + Person + Action -
Shows purpose of coming -
倒茶给黛玉 - "pour tea for Daiyu" -
给 indicates the recipient of the tea -
Structure: Verb (倒) + Object (茶) + 给 + Recipient -
Classic dative construction
The passage also shows Classical Chinese influence in the verb 道 (to say) and the formal courtesy language typical of the novel's aristocratic setting. The use of 给 in both instances reflects the formal, hierarchical relationships central to the novel's social world.
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12.16 早上 (zǎo-shang) morning 八点 (bā-diǎn) eight-o'clock 我们 (wǒ-men) we 出发 (chū-fā) depart 去 (qù) to-go 机场 (jī-chǎng) airport
12.17 司机 (sī-jī) driver 开车 (kāi-chē) drive-car 向 (xiàng) toward 北 (běi) north 行驶 (xíng-shǐ) travel 了 (le) completed 两 (liǎng) two 个 (gè) measure-word 小时 (xiǎo-shí) hour
12.18 到 (dào) arriving-at 机场 (jī-chǎng) airport 后 (hòu) after 我们 (wǒ-men) we 先 (xiān) first 去 (qù) go-to 办理 (bàn-lǐ) handle 登机 (dēng-jī) boarding 手续 (shǒu-xù) procedures
12.19 工作人员 (gōng-zuò-rén-yuán) staff 给 (gěi) to-give 我们 (wǒ-men) us 登机牌 (dēng-jī-pái) boarding-pass 并 (bìng) and 指 (zhǐ) point 向 (xiàng) toward 安检口 (ān-jiǎn-kǒu) security-checkpoint
12.20 为了 (wèi-le) in-order-to 赶 (gǎn) catch 飞机 (fēi-jī) airplane 大家 (dà-jiā) everyone 快步 (kuài-bù) quick-step 走 (zǒu) walk 到 (dào) to 登机口 (dēng-jī-kǒu) boarding-gate
12.21 空姐 (kōng-jiě) flight-attendant 对 (duì) to 乘客们 (chéng-kè-men) passengers 说 (shuō) say 欢迎 (huān-yíng) welcome 词 (cí) words
12.22 飞机 (fēi-jī) airplane 起飞 (qǐ-fēi) take-off 后 (hòu) after 向 (xiàng) toward 西南 (xī-nán) southwest 方向 (fāng-xiàng) direction 飞行 (fēi-xíng) fly
12.23 三 (sān) three 小时 (xiǎo-shí) hour 后 (hòu) later 我们 (wǒ-men) we 终于 (zhōng-yú) finally 到达 (dào-dá) arrive-reach 了 (le) completed 昆明 (kūn-míng) Kunming
12.24 下 (xià) exit 飞机 (fēi-jī) airplane 后 (hòu) after 导游 (dǎo-yóu) tour-guide 带 (dài) lead 我们 (wǒ-men) us 去 (qù) to-go 酒店 (jiǔ-diàn) hotel
12.25 酒店 (jiǔ-diàn) hotel 经理 (jīng-lǐ) manager 给 (gěi) give-to 每 (měi) each 位 (wèi) measure-word 客人 (kè-rén) guest 房间 (fáng-jiān) room 钥匙 (yào-shi) key
12.26 为了 (wèi-le) in-order-to 看 (kàn) see 日出 (rì-chū) sunrise 我们 (wǒ-men) we 凌晨 (líng-chén) early-morning 四点 (sì-diǎn) four-o'clock 就 (jiù) then 起床 (qǐ-chuáng) get-up 了 (le) completed
12.27 旅游 (lǚ-yóu) travel 巴士 (bā-shì) bus 开 (kāi) drive 向 (xiàng) toward 石林 (shí-lín) Stone-Forest 景区 (jǐng-qū) scenic-area
12.28 售票员 (shòu-piào-yuán) ticket-seller 卖 (mài) sell 门票 (mén-piào) entrance-ticket 给 (gěi) to 游客 (yóu-kè) tourists 们 (men) plural
12.29 大家 (dà-jiā) everyone 跟着 (gēn-zhe) following 导游 (dǎo-yóu) guide 走 (zǒu) walk 到 (dào) to 第一 (dì-yī) first 个 (gè) measure-word 景点 (jǐng-diǎn) scenic-spot
12.30 晚上 (wǎn-shang) evening 我们 (wǒ-men) we 回 (huí) return 到 (dào) to 酒店 (jiǔ-diàn) hotel 准备 (zhǔn-bèi) prepare 第二天 (dì-èr-tiān) next-day 的 (de) possessive 行程 (xíng-chéng) itinerary
12.16 早上八点我们出发去机场。At eight o'clock in the morning, we departed to go to the airport.
12.17 司机开车向北行驶了两个小时。The driver drove northward for two hours.
12.18 到机场后，我们先去办理登机手续。After arriving at the airport, we first went to handle check-in procedures.
12.19 工作人员给我们登机牌并指向安检口。The staff gave us boarding passes and pointed toward the security checkpoint.
12.20 为了赶飞机，大家快步走到登机口。In order to catch the flight, everyone walked quickly to the boarding gate.
12.21 空姐对乘客们说欢迎词。The flight attendant spoke welcoming words to the passengers.
12.22 飞机起飞后向西南方向飞行。After takeoff, the airplane flew toward the southwest direction.
12.23 三小时后我们终于到达了昆明。Three hours later we finally arrived in Kunming.
12.24 下飞机后，导游带我们去酒店。After getting off the plane, the tour guide took us to the hotel.
12.25 酒店经理给每位客人房间钥匙。The hotel manager gave room keys to each guest.
12.26 为了看日出，我们凌晨四点就起床了。In order to see the sunrise, we got up at four in the morning.
12.27 旅游巴士开向石林景区。The tour bus drove toward the Stone Forest scenic area.
12.28 售票员卖门票给游客们。The ticket seller sold entrance tickets to the tourists.
12.29 大家跟着导游走到第一个景点。Everyone followed the guide walking to the first scenic spot.
12.30 晚上我们回到酒店准备第二天的行程。In the evening we returned to the hotel to prepare for the next day's itinerary.
12.16 早上八点我们出发去机场。
12.17 司机开车向北行驶了两个小时。
12.18 到机场后，我们先去办理登机手续。
12.19 工作人员给我们登机牌并指向安检口。
12.20 为了赶飞机，大家快步走到登机口。
12.21 空姐对乘客们说欢迎词。
12.22 飞机起飞后向西南方向飞行。
12.23 三小时后我们终于到达了昆明。
12.24 下飞机后，导游带我们去酒店。
12.25 酒店经理给每位客人房间钥匙。
12.26 为了看日出，我们凌晨四点就起床了。
12.27 旅游巴士开向石林景区。
12.28 售票员卖门票给游客们。
12.29 大家跟着导游走到第一个景点。
12.30 晚上我们回到酒店准备第二天的行程。
The travel narrative genre demonstrates the full range of "to" translations in practical contexts:
-
去 (qù) appears frequently with destinations: 去机场, 去酒店, 去办理 -
到 (dào) marks arrival points: 到机场后, 走到登机口, 回到酒店 -
向 (xiàng) indicates travel direction: 向北行驶, 向西南方向, 开向石林
-
为了 (wèile) introduces travel purposes: 为了赶飞机, 为了看日出 -
Shows cause-and-effect relationships in travel planning
-
给 (gěi) in service contexts: 给我们登机牌, 给每位客人房间钥匙 -
Common in hospitality and service interactions
-
对 (duì) in formal announcements: 对乘客们说 -
Used by service personnel addressing groups
-
走到 (walk to and arrive) -
回到 (return to) -
开向 (drive toward)
These patterns are essential for navigating travel situations in Chinese-speaking regions.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating comprehensive online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering structured approaches to self-directed language study. These lessons follow the Institute's proven methodology of graduated reading with extensive interlinear support.
Each lesson in this Modern Language Course series: -
Provides complete interlinear glossing for beginners -
Includes natural, contextual examples from real usage -
Offers detailed grammatical explanations tailored for English speakers -
Incorporates authentic literary texts with guided analysis -
Features genre-specific vocabulary and patterns -
Supports autodidactic learning without requiring a teacher
The interlinear method allows students to: -
Immediately understand sentence structure -
Build vocabulary through repeated exposure -
Recognize grammatical patterns naturally -
Progress from supported to independent reading -
Develop authentic language intuition
This approach differs from traditional textbooks by: -
Presenting real language from the start -
Avoiding artificial or simplified sentences -
Teaching grammar through examples rather than rules -
Building understanding incrementally -
Respecting the learner's intelligence
For more information about the Latinum Institute's methodology and complete course offerings, visit: -
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index -
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