Meaning
借 means to borrow or to lend, depending on context. The direction is clarified by prepositions: 从/向 someone 借 means to borrow FROM someone, while 借给 someone means to lend TO someone. It can also mean to make use of or take advantage of an opportunity or excuse.
Usage
Native speakers commonly use 借 in both formal and informal contexts. The direction must be clear from context or prepositions. 借过 (jiè guò) is a polite way to say 'excuse me' when passing through a crowd. The verb appears frequently in expressions about borrowing money, books, or items, and metaphorically about using opportunities.
Examples
- 01我可以向你借一本书吗??Can I borrow a book from you?
- 02他借给我一千块钱。.He lent me a thousand yuan.
Common collocations
- 借钱to borrow/lend money
- 借给to lend to
- 向...借...to borrow from...
- 借过excuse me (when passing through)
Antonyms
Origin
The character 借 contains the person radical 亓 (originally 人) and the phonetic component 昔 (xī), suggesting a person making use of something from the past or another source.