For more lessons and the complete course index, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Definition: The English preposition "to" has several equivalents in Mandarin Chinese, depending on its function: -
到 (dào) - indicates arrival at or movement towards a destination -
给 (gěi) - indicates the recipient of an action (to give to someone) -
向 (xiàng) - indicates direction or orientation towards something -
对 (duì) - indicates the target or recipient of speech or action
FAQ Schema Question: What does "to" mean in Mandarin Chinese? Answer: "To" in Mandarin Chinese can be expressed using several different words depending on context: 到 (dào) for destinations and arrival, 给 (gěi) for recipients, 向 (xiàng) for directions, and 对 (duì) for targets of actions or speech. Each has specific uses that English speakers must learn to distinguish.
Educational Schema Type: Language Learning Material Subject: Mandarin Chinese Level: Beginner Target Audience: English-speaking autodidacts Format: Self-study reading lesson with interlinear glossing
How this topic word will be used: In this lesson, we will explore 15 varied examples showing how "to" is expressed in different contexts in Mandarin Chinese. The examples will demonstrate practical, everyday usage with different word placements and grammatical structures.
Key Takeaways: -
Mandarin Chinese uses different words for "to" depending on the specific meaning -
到 (dào) is the most common equivalent for physical destinations -
给 (gěi) indicates recipients of actions or objects -
Context determines which Chinese word to use for English "to" -
Word order in Mandarin differs significantly from English when using these prepositions
6.1a 我 I 要 want 去 go 到 to 学校 school 6.1b wǒ (wǒ) I yào (yào) want qù (qù) go dào (dào) to xuéxiào (xué-xiào) school
6.2a 他 he 给 to/give 我 me 一 one 本 classifier 书 book 6.2b tā (tā) he gěi (gěi) give/to wǒ (wǒ) me yì (yì) one běn (běn) classifier shū (shū) book
6.3a 请 please 走 walk 向 towards 前 front 6.3b qǐng (qǐng) please zǒu (zǒu) walk xiàng (xiàng) towards qián (qián) front
6.4a 她 she 对 to/towards 老师 teacher 说话 speak 6.4b tā (tā) she duì (duì) to/towards lǎoshī (lǎo-shī) teacher shuōhuà (shuō-huà) speak
6.5a 火车 train 开 drive 到 to 北京 Beijing 了 completed-action 6.5b huǒchē (huǒ-chē) train kāi (kāi) drive dào (dào) to Běijīng (Běi-jīng) Beijing le (le) completed-action
6.6a 妈妈 mother 寄 send 信 letter 给 to 朋友 friend 6.6b māma (mā-ma) mother jì (jì) send xìn (xìn) letter gěi (gěi) to péngyǒu (péng-yǒu) friend
6.7a 从 from 这里 here 到 to 那里 there 很 very 远 far 6.7b cóng (cóng) from zhèlǐ (zhè-lǐ) here dào (dào) to nàlǐ (nà-lǐ) there hěn (hěn) very yuǎn (yuǎn) far
6.8a 孩子 child 跑 run 向 towards 妈妈 mother 6.8b háizi (hái-zi) child pǎo (pǎo) run xiàng (xiàng) towards māma (mā-ma) mother
6.9a 我 I 们 plural 要 want 搬 move 到 to 新 new 家 home 6.9b wǒmen (wǒ-men) we yào (yào) want bān (bān) move dào (dào) to xīn (xīn) new jiā (jiā) home
6.10a 老板 boss 付 pay 钱 money 给 to 员工 employee 6.10b lǎobǎn (lǎo-bǎn) boss fù (fù) pay qián (qián) money gěi (gěi) to yuángōng (yuán-gōng) employee
6.11a 飞机 airplane 飞 fly 向 towards 南方 south 6.11b fēijī (fēi-jī) airplane fēi (fēi) fly xiàng (xiàng) towards nánfāng (nán-fāng) south
6.12a 他 he 送 deliver 花 flowers 给 to 女 female 朋友 friend 6.12b tā (tā) he sòng (sòng) deliver huā (huā) flowers gěi (gěi) to nǚpéngyǒu (nǚ-péng-yǒu) girlfriend
6.13a 学生 student 走 walk 到 to 教室 classroom 里 inside 6.13b xuéshēng (xué-shēng) student zǒu (zǒu) walk dào (dào) to jiàoshì (jiào-shì) classroom lǐ (lǐ) inside
6.14a 请 please 传 pass 这个 this 消息 message 给 to 大家 everyone 6.14b qǐng (qǐng) please chuán (chuán) pass zhège (zhè-ge) this xiāoxi (xiāo-xi) message gěi (gěi) to dàjiā (dà-jiā) everyone
6.15a 鸟 bird 飞 fly 回 return 到 to 巢 nest 里 inside 6.15b niǎo (niǎo) bird fēi (fēi) fly huí (huí) return dào (dào) to cháo (cháo) nest lǐ (lǐ) inside
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6.1 我要去到学校。 I want to go to school.
6.2 他给我一本书。 He gave a book to me.
6.3 请走向前。 Please walk to the front.
6.4 她对老师说话。 She speaks to the teacher.
6.5 火车开到北京了。 The train has arrived to Beijing.
6.6 妈妈寄信给朋友。 Mother sends letters to friends.
6.7 从这里到那里很远。 From here to there is very far.
6.8 孩子跑向妈妈。 The child runs to mother.
6.9 我们要搬到新家。 We want to move to a new home.
6.10 老板付钱给员工。 The boss pays money to employees.
6.11 飞机飞向南方。 The airplane flies to the south.
6.12 他送花给女朋友。 He delivers flowers to his girlfriend.
6.13 学生走到教室里。 The student walks to the classroom.
6.14 请传这个消息给大家。 Please pass this message to everyone.
6.15 鸟飞回到巢里。 The bird flies back to its nest.
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6.1 我要去到学校。
6.2 他给我一本书。
6.3 请走向前。
6.4 她对老师说话。
6.5 火车开到北京了。
6.6 妈妈寄信给朋友。
6.7 从这里到那里很远。
6.8 孩子跑向妈妈。
6.9 我们要搬到新家。
6.10 老板付钱给员工。
6.11 飞机飞向南方。
6.12 他送花给女朋友。
6.13 学生走到教室里。
6.14 请传这个消息给大家。
6.15 鸟飞回到巢里。
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1. 到 (dào) - Destination and Arrival -
Used to indicate reaching or arriving at a destination -
Usually follows verbs of motion (去 go, 来 come, 走 walk, 飞 fly) -
Structure: Subject + Verb + 到 + Place -
Can also mean "until" in time expressions
2. 给 (gěi) - Recipient -
Used to indicate the recipient of an action -
Functions like "to" in "give something to someone" -
Structure: Subject + Verb + Object + 给 + Recipient -
Alternative: Subject + 给 + Recipient + Verb + Object
3. 向 (xiàng) - Direction -
Indicates direction or orientation towards something -
More about facing or heading towards than arriving -
Structure: Subject + Verb + 向 + Direction/Target
4. 对 (duì) - Target of Action -
Used for the target of speech, feelings, or attitudes -
Common with verbs like 说 (speak), 笑 (smile), 有兴趣 (be interested) -
Structure: Subject + 对 + Target + Verb
-
Using 到 with non-motion verbs -
Wrong: 我说到他 (I speak to him) -
Correct: 我对他说 (I speak to him) -
Confusing 给 placement -
English speakers often place 给 incorrectly -
Remember: 给 can come before or after the verb depending on emphasis -
Overusing one form -
English speakers tend to overuse 到 because it seems most like "to" -
Each Chinese word has specific contexts -
Word order confusion -
Chinese often places "to" phrases in different positions than English -
Pay attention to typical Chinese sentence patterns
-
First, identify what kind of "to" you need: -
Physical destination? Use 到 -
Giving something? Use 给 -
Direction without arrival? Use 向 -
Target of speech/action? Use 对 -
Check the verb: -
Motion verbs typically use 到 -
Transfer verbs typically use 给 -
Communication verbs typically use 对 -
Build the sentence following Chinese word order: -
Subject comes first -
Time words come early -
Place the "to" phrase according to the specific pattern
Preposition Usage Patterns: -
到: V + 到 + Place (去到学校 - go to school) -
给: V + Object + 给 + Person (送花给她 - send flowers to her) -
向: V + 向 + Direction (飞向南方 - fly to the south) -
对: 对 + Person + V (对他说话 - speak to him)
Note: Unlike English, where "to" is consistently placed before its object, Mandarin prepositions follow specific patterns based on the verb and context.
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The concept of "to" in Mandarin Chinese reflects important cultural perspectives on movement, relationships, and communication. Understanding these cultural nuances helps English speakers use these prepositions more naturally.
Spatial Thinking: Chinese culture traditionally emphasizes the journey as much as the destination. This is why 到 (dào) specifically marks arrival or achievement of reaching somewhere, not just movement towards it. The distinction between 到 (arrival) and 向 (direction) reflects this cultural attention to process versus result.
Gift-Giving Culture: The prominence of 给 (gěi) in daily speech reflects the importance of reciprocity and gift-giving in Chinese culture. The flexibility of 给 placement in sentences (before or after the verb) allows speakers to emphasize either the act of giving or the recipient, showing social sensitivity.
Respectful Communication: The use of 对 (duì) for communication targets reflects Chinese cultural emphasis on proper addressing and respect. When speaking "to" someone, especially in formal contexts, 对 acknowledges the social relationship and shows appropriate regard for the listener.
Directional Precision: Mandarin speakers are very precise about directional relationships, distinguishing between movement towards (向), arrival at (到), and position relative to (对) something. This precision reflects a cultural value of clarity in spatial and social relationships.
Practical tip: When unsure which "to" to use, consider whether you're emphasizing the endpoint (到), the recipient (给), the direction (向), or the target of interaction (对). This mental framework aligns with how native speakers conceptualize these relationships.
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From "The Little Prince" (小王子 Xiǎo Wángzǐ) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, translated by 周克希 (Zhōu Kèxī):
"要是你爱上了某个星球上的一朵花，那么，只要在夜晚仰望星空，就会觉得满天的繁星就像一朵朵盛开的花。你要到我的星球来看看我的玫瑰花。"
要是 if 你 you 爱 love 上 up/onto 了 completed 某个 certain 星球 planet 上 on 的 possessive 一 one 朵 classifier 花 flower ，那么 then ，只要 as-long-as 在 at 夜晚 night 仰望 look-up 星空 starry-sky ，就 then 会 will 觉得 feel 满天 whole-sky 的 possessive 繁星 stars 就像 just-like 一 one 朵朵 classifier-classifier 盛开 blooming 的 possessive 花 flowers 。你 you 要 want 到 to 我 my 的 possessive 星球 planet 来 come 看看 look-look 我 my 的 possessive 玫瑰花 rose 。
yàoshi (yào-shi) if nǐ (nǐ) you ài (ài) love shàng (shàng) onto le (le) completed mǒu-ge (mǒu-ge) certain xīngqiú (xīng-qiú) planet shàng (shàng) on de (de) possessive yì (yì) one duǒ (duǒ) classifier huā (huā) flower, nàme (nà-me) then, zhǐyào (zhǐ-yào) as-long-as zài (zài) at yèwǎn (yè-wǎn) night yǎngwàng (yǎng-wàng) look-up xīngkōng (xīng-kōng) starry-sky, jiù (jiù) then huì (huì) will juéde (jué-de) feel mǎntiān (mǎn-tiān) whole-sky de (de) possessive fánxīng (fán-xīng) stars jiù-xiàng (jiù-xiàng) just-like yì (yì) one duǒ-duǒ (duǒ-duǒ) many shèngkāi (shèng-kāi) blooming de (de) possessive huā (huā) flowers. Nǐ (nǐ) you yào (yào) want dào (dào) to wǒ (wǒ) my de (de) possessive xīngqiú (xīng-qiú) planet lái (lái) come kàn-kan (kàn-kan) look wǒ (wǒ) my de (de) possessive méiguihuā (méi-gui-huā) rose.
要是你爱上了某个星球上的一朵花，那么，只要在夜晚仰望星空，就会觉得满天的繁星就像一朵朵盛开的花。你要到我的星球来看看我的玫瑰花。
"If you love a flower that lives on a star, then at night when you look up at the starry sky, you will feel that all the stars are like blooming flowers. You must come to my planet to see my rose."
This passage from "The Little Prince" beautifully demonstrates the use of 到 (dào) in the invitation "你要到我的星球来" (You must come to my planet). The structure shows a common pattern where 到 indicates the destination, followed by 来 (come) to show movement towards the speaker. This double-verb construction (到...来) is characteristic of Mandarin and emphasizes both the destination and the direction of movement.
-
到 (dào) here functions as a preposition indicating destination -
The pattern 到 + place + 来 is common for invitations -
Note how Chinese uses two verbs (到...来) where English uses one ("come to") -
The possessive 的 appears multiple times, showing relationships -
要 (yào) expresses both desire and mild obligation ("must/should come")
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6.16a 游客 tourist 坐 sit 飞机 airplane 到 to 上海 Shanghai 旅游 travel 6.16b yóukè (yóu-kè) tourist zuò (zuò) sit/take fēijī (fēi-jī) airplane dào (dào) to Shànghǎi (Shàng-hǎi) Shanghai lǚyóu (lǚ-yóu) travel
6.17a 导游 guide 带 lead 我们 us 去 go 到 to 长城 Great-Wall 6.17b dǎoyóu (dǎo-yóu) guide dài (dài) lead wǒmen (wǒ-men) us qù (qù) go dào (dào) to Chángchéng (Cháng-chéng) Great-Wall
6.18a 请 please 给 to/give 我 me 一 one 张 classifier 地图 map 6.18b qǐng (qǐng) please gěi (gěi) give wǒ (wǒ) me yì (yì) one zhāng (zhāng) classifier dìtú (dì-tú) map
6.19a 从 from 酒店 hotel 到 to 机场 airport 要 need 多久 how-long 6.19b cóng (cóng) from jiǔdiàn (jiǔ-diàn) hotel dào (dào) to jīchǎng (jī-chǎng) airport yào (yào) need duōjiǔ (duō-jiǔ) how-long
6.20a 司机 driver 开车 drive 向 towards 西 west 行驶 proceed 6.20b sījī (sī-jī) driver kāichē (kāi-chē) drive xiàng (xiàng) towards xī (xī) west xíngshǐ (xíng-shǐ) proceed
6.21a 她 she 寄 send 明信片 postcard 给 to 家人 family 6.21b tā (tā) she jì (jì) send míngxìnpiàn (míng-xìn-piàn) postcard gěi (gěi) to jiārén (jiā-rén) family
6.22a 火车 train 晚上 evening 八点 eight-o'clock 到 to 站 station 6.22b huǒchē (huǒ-chē) train wǎnshàng (wǎn-shàng) evening bā-diǎn (bā-diǎn) eight-o'clock dào (dào) to/arrive zhàn (zhàn) station
6.23a 游客 tourists 排队 queue 进 enter 到 to 故宫 Forbidden-City 里面 inside 6.23b yóukè (yóu-kè) tourists páiduì (pái-duì) queue jìn (jìn) enter dào (dào) to Gùgōng (Gù-gōng) Forbidden-City lǐmiàn (lǐ-miàn) inside
6.24a 服务员 waiter 送 deliver 菜 dishes 给 to 客人 guests 6.24b fúwùyuán (fú-wù-yuán) waiter sòng (sòng) deliver cài (cài) dishes gěi (gěi) to kèrén (kè-rén) guests
6.25a 背包客 backpacker 走 walk 向 towards 山顶 mountain-top 6.25b bēibāokè (bēi-bāo-kè) backpacker zǒu (zǒu) walk xiàng (xiàng) towards shāndǐng (shān-dǐng) mountain-top
6.26a 旅行团 tour-group 明天 tomorrow 去 go 到 to 西安 Xi'an 参观 visit 6.26b lǚxíngtuán (lǚ-xíng-tuán) tour-group míngtiān (míng-tiān) tomorrow qù (qù) go dào (dào) to Xī'ān (Xī-ān) Xi'an cānguān (cān-guān) visit
6.27a 请 please 把 take 行李 luggage 送 deliver 到 to 房间 room 6.27b qǐng (qǐng) please bǎ (bǎ) take xínglǐ (xíng-lǐ) luggage sòng (sòng) deliver dào (dào) to fángjiān (fáng-jiān) room
6.28a 船 boat 开 sail 向 towards 小岛 small-island 6.28b chuán (chuán) boat kāi (kāi) sail xiàng (xiàng) towards xiǎodǎo (xiǎo-dǎo) small-island
6.29a 他们 they 买 buy 礼物 gifts 给 to/for 朋友们 friends 6.29b tāmen (tā-men) they mǎi (mǎi) buy lǐwù (lǐ-wù) gifts gěi (gěi) to/for péngyǒumen (péng-yǒu-men) friends
6.30a 飞机 airplane 已经 already 飞 fly 到 to 目的地 destination 了 completed 6.30b fēijī (fēi-jī) airplane yǐjīng (yǐ-jīng) already fēi (fēi) fly dào (dào) to mùdìdì (mù-dì-dì) destination le (le) completed
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6.16 游客坐飞机到上海旅游。 Tourists take airplanes to Shanghai to travel.
6.17 导游带我们去到长城。 The guide leads us to the Great Wall.
6.18 请给我一张地图。 Please give me a map.
6.19 从酒店到机场要多久？ How long does it take from the hotel to the airport?
6.20 司机开车向西行驶。 The driver drives towards the west.
6.21 她寄明信片给家人。 She sends postcards to her family.
6.22 火车晚上八点到站。 The train arrives at the station at eight in the evening.
6.23 游客排队进到故宫里面。 Tourists queue to enter into the Forbidden City.
6.24 服务员送菜给客人。 The waiter delivers dishes to the guests.
6.25 背包客走向山顶。 The backpacker walks towards the mountain top.
6.26 旅行团明天去到西安参观。 The tour group will go to Xi'an tomorrow to visit.
6.27 请把行李送到房间。 Please deliver the luggage to the room.
6.28 船开向小岛。 The boat sails towards the small island.
6.29 他们买礼物给朋友们。 They buy gifts for their friends.
6.30 飞机已经飞到目的地了。 The airplane has already flown to its destination.
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6.16 游客坐飞机到上海旅游。
6.17 导游带我们去到长城。
6.18 请给我一张地图。
6.19 从酒店到机场要多久？
6.20 司机开车向西行驶。
6.21 她寄明信片给家人。
6.22 火车晚上八点到站。
6.23 游客排队进到故宫里面。
6.24 服务员送菜给客人。
6.25 背包客走向山顶。
6.26 旅行团明天去到西安参观。
6.27 请把行李送到房间。
6.28 船开向小岛。
6.29 他们买礼物给朋友们。
6.30 飞机已经飞到目的地了。
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1. 把 (bǎ) Construction with 到 -
Structure: 把 + Object + Verb + 到 + Place -
Example: 把行李送到房间 (deliver the luggage to the room) -
This emphasizes the handling and destination of objects
2. Time + 到 for Arrival -
When stating arrival times, 到 often means "arrive at" -
Example: 八点到站 (arrive at the station at eight o'clock) -
The verb "arrive" is often implied, not explicitly stated
3. Question Formation with 到 -
从 A 到 B 要多久？ (How long from A to B?) -
This is a standard pattern for asking about travel duration -
Note the placement of 要 (need/require) after the destination
4. Directional Complements -
进到...里面 (enter into...inside) -
去到 (go to and arrive at) -
These compound forms emphasize completion of movement
5. Tourism-Specific Vocabulary Patterns -
Many tourism terms are compound words -
旅游 (travel), 参观 (visit), 游客 (tourist) -
These often take specific prepositions in set patterns
Common Travel Phrases -
到...旅游 (travel to...) -
送...给... (deliver...to...) -
从...到... (from...to...) -
向...行驶 (proceed towards...)
These patterns are essential for navigating travel situations in Chinese-speaking regions.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering self-study methods that empower autodidacts to master languages independently. These lessons employ the construed text method, providing detailed interlinear glossing that allows learners to understand complex texts from the very beginning of their studies.
Our Mandarin Chinese course uses a systematic approach that breaks down the language barrier between English and Chinese through: -
Granular glossing: Every word and particle is explained individually, making even complex sentences accessible to beginners -
Multiple presentation formats: Each sentence appears in interlinear, natural, and Chinese-only formats to build recognition -
Contextual grammar: Grammar is taught through real usage examples rather than abstract rules -
Cultural integration: Language learning includes essential cultural context for authentic communication -
Progressive complexity: Starting with basic sentences and building to literary texts and specialized genres
The method developed at the Latinum Institute recognizes that adult learners benefit from understanding the structure of their target language explicitly. Rather than relying solely on immersion or pattern drilling, our lessons provide the analytical tools needed for independent study. This approach has proven particularly effective for languages with different writing systems and grammatical structures from English.
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