Meaning of 为
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- because of
- for
- to
- variant of 為|为[wei4]
- as (in the capacity of)
- to take sth as
- to act as
- to serve as
- to behave as
- to become
- to be
- to do
- variant of 為|为[wei2]
How to use 为
As wèi it means "for" or "because of" and appears in 为什么 (wèi shénme, why) and 因为 (yīnwèi, because). As wéi it means "to be" or "to act as" in words like 成为 (chéngwéi) and 认为 (rènwéi). Example: 我为你高兴。(Wǒ wèi nǐ gāoxìng.) I am happy for you.
Picture 为 as a person with arms out, two dots of effort flying off, working hard for someone. You act (wéi) for (wèi) someone else.
Common mistake: Learners often read every 为 as fourth tone, but 认为, 以为, 成为 and 行为 all use second tone wéi. Also do not confuse 为 with 办 (bàn), which has a similar frame but different dot placement.
为 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
为 wèi · because of · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 为.
| 为什么 | wèi shénme | why?; for what reason? |
| 因为 | yīnwèi | because; owing to; on account of |
| 认为 | rènwéi | to believe; to think; to consider; to feel |
| 以为 | yǐwéi | to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless refe |
| 成为 | chéngwéi | to become; to turn into |
| 行为 | xíngwéi | action; conduct; behavior; activity |
| 为了 | wèile | for; for the purpose of; in order to |
| 称为 | chēngwéi | to be called; to be known as; to call it "..." |
| 变为 | biànwéi | to change into |
| 作为 | zuòwéi | one's conduct; deed |
| 列为 | lièwéi | to be classified as |
| 分为 | fēnwéi | to divide sth into (parts); to subdivide |
Questions about 为
What does 为 mean?
为 (wèi) means "because of; for" and is used as a preposition and verb.
How do you write 为?
为 is made of 1 character: 为 (4 strokes). That is 4 strokes in total.
Is 为 an HSK word?
Yes. 为 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 为 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 为 is written 為.
How do I know whether 为 is wèi or wéi?
If it means "for" or "because of," it is wèi, as in 为什么 and 因为. If it means "to be," "to become" or "to act as," it is wéi, as in 成为 and 认为.
What is the difference between 认为 and 以为?
Both mean "to think," but 以为 (yǐwéi) often suggests the belief turned out to be wrong. 我以为他是老师 means "I thought he was a teacher (but he is not)." 认为 (rènwéi) simply states an opinion.