为(wéi)
When “为” is pronounced with the second tone, it can function as a verb or a preposition.
Please note that the specific usage of “为” can vary depending on the context and sentence structure.
As a verb
1) 为(wéi) means “be” or “act as,” often used in written Chinese.
e.g.
身为老师，我有责任教好学生。(Shēn wéi lǎoshī, wǒ yǒu zérèn jiāo hǎo xuéshēng.)
As a teacher, I have a responsibility to teach students.
造纸术为中国古代四大发明之一。(Zào zhǐshù wéi Zhōngguó gǔdài sì dà fāmíng zhī yī.)
Papermaking is one of the four great ancient inventions of China.
这次的项目时间为一年。(Zhè cì de xiàngmù shíjiān wéi yī nián.)
The duration of this project is one year.
2) 为(wéi) means “become”, commonly used in the following structures,
Verb + 为 + Object
被 + Verb + 为 + Object
Verb + Object 1 + 为 + Object 2
把 + Object 1 + Verb + 为 + Object 2
Note that in “Verb + Object 1 + 为 + Object 2,” Object 1 is the subject of “为,” making it a Pivotal Sentence.
In some idioms, Object 1 can be omitted.
e.g.
一年分为四个季节。(Yī nián fēn wéi sì gè jìjié.)
One year is divided into four seasons.
他被同学们推选为班长。(Tā bèi tóngxuémen tuīxuǎn wéi bānzhǎng.)
He was elected to be the class monitor by classmates.
政府想改广场为公园。(Zhèngfǔ xiǎng gǎi guǎngchǎng wéi gōngyuán.)
The government wants to change the square into a park.
中国南方把米饭作为主食。(Zhōngguó nánfāng bǎ mǐfàn zuòwéi zhǔshí.)
In southern China, rice is considered the main staple food.
3) 为(wéi) means “do” “act” “make” “consider” “look upon” or “regard as”.
e.g.
我认为这种方法不对。(Wǒ rènwéi zhèzhǒng fāngfǎ bù duì.)
I think this method is not correct.
到目前为止，我的想法都没错。(Dào mùqián wéizhǐ, wǒ de xiǎngfǎ dōu méi cuò.)
So far, my ideas have been correct.
我以为你们认识呢，原来不认识啊。(Wǒ yǐwéi nǐmen rènshi ne, yuánlái bù rènshi a.)
I thought you knew each other, turns out you don’t.
As a preposition
为(wéi) means “by” and implies a passive action, often used in written Chinese. The typical structure is:
为……所……
e.g.
他的这种做法为大家所不齿。(Tā de zhèzhǒng zuòfǎ wéi dàjiā suǒ bùchǐ.)
His behavior like this is despised by everyone.
这种教育方法为大多数老师所接受。(Zhèzhǒng jiàoyù fāngfǎ wéi dà duōshù lǎoshī suǒ jiēshòu.)
This educational method is accepted by most teachers.
我们不能为金钱所迷惑。(Wǒmen bùnéng wéi jīnqián suǒ míhuò.)
We should not be tempted by money.
为(wèi) vs 为了(wèi le)
Common Points
为(wèi) and 为了(wèi le) both indicates the purpose or goal of the action or behavior. It means “for” “for the sake of” “in order to”. Both of them can be put before or after the subject.
e.g.
为/为了我们的友谊干杯！(Wèi/wèile wǒmen de yǒuyì gānbēi!)
Let’s raise our glasses to our friendship!
为/为了养孩子，他们周末也要打工赚钱。(Wèi/wèile yǎng háizi, tāmen zhōumò yě yào dǎgōng zhuànqián.)
They work part-time on weekends to raise their children.
为/为了做好工作，这个月我们经常加班。(Wèi/wèile zuò hǎo gōngzuò, zhège yuè wǒmen jīngcháng jiābān.)
In order to do a good job, we often work overtime this month.
他为/为了家人努力工作。 (Tā wèi/wèile jiārén nǔlì gōngzuò.)
He works hard for the sake of his family.
他为/为了国家建设付出了自己的一生。(Tā wèi/wèile guójiā jiànshè fùchū le zìjǐ de yīshēng.)
He dedicated his entire life to the construction of the nation.
Differences
1) 为(wèi) can also indicate the object or reason, while “为了” does not have this usage.
e.g.
为人民服务 (Wèi rénmín fúwù) Serve the people.
✘ 为了人民服务
大家都为你考过HSK高兴。(Dàjiā dōu wèi nǐ kǎo guò HSK gāoxìng.) Everyone is happy for you passing the HSK.
✘ 大家都为了你考过HSK高兴。
2) Both 为(wèi) and 为了(wèi le) can form the structure “为/为了……而……,” generally placed after the subject. In this structure, “为了……而……” can connect two verbs with opposite meanings, indicating a contrast or a turn of events. “为……而……” does not have this usage.
e.g.
在战争时期，很多人为/为了国家而献出生命。(ài zhànzhēng shíqī, hěnduō rén wèi/wèile guójiā ér xiànchū shēngmìng.)
During the wartime, many people sacrificed their lives for the country.
大家都在为/为了通过考试而努力。(Dàjiā dōu zài wèi/wèile tōngguò kǎoshì ér nǔlì.)
Everyone is working hard to pass the exam.
为了前进而后退，这是一种策略。(Wèile qiánjìn ér hòutuì, zhè shì yī zhǒng cèlüè.) To retreat in order to advance, this is a strategy.
✘ 为前进而后退，这是一种策略。
Exercise
