HSK 3
为
wèi
Preposition of purpose or beneficiary (为)
Explanation
为 (wèi) is a preposition (a word placed before a noun to indicate a relationship: at, with, for...) used to introduce the beneficiary or the purpose of an action, usually translated as "for / for the sake of".
subject + 为 (wèi) + person/matter + verb + (object). The 为 + target phrase stands before the verb, functioning as an adverbial.
when you want to say you do something "for someone" or "for the sake of someone/something", for example 为我们做饭 (cook for us), 为大家服务 (serve everyone).
Vietnamese learners often place the 为... phrase after the verb (like the Vietnamese "cook rice for mom"), but in Chinese 为 + target must be placed BEFORE the verb. Also note the difference from 为了 (wèile, in order to, so as to), which specifically states the purpose of a whole matter, whereas 为 here leans toward introducing the person who benefits.
Examples
Mom cooks for us every day.
He bought a bouquet of flowers for me.
Practice
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Learn “为” effectively
The grammar point “为” (Preposition of purpose or beneficiary (为)) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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