Definition
为 (wéi) as a preposition means 'as, in the capacity of' — it introduces a role or identity (e.g., 为老师 'as a teacher'). It is more formal and written than 当 (dāng), which is the everyday spoken word for 'to act as'. In the passive pattern 为...所..., it marks the agent (by someone).
preposition
asin the capacity ofby (used in the passive construction 为...所...)
Easily confused
- 位wèisound-alike(classifier, polite) for people
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hey! hello? (used to attract attention or answer a phone call)
- 喂wèisound-alike(interjection) hello? (used to answer the phone)
- 未wèisound-alikenot yet; have not; did not (formal/literary negation placed before a verb)
- 唯wéisound-alikeonly, alone
- 味wèisound-aliketaste, flavor
- 围wéisound-aliketo surround, to encircle
- 胃wèisound-alikestomach
- 微wēisound-alikeslightly; a little bit
Examples
- 为，。Tā wéi lǎoshī, jiāo xuéshēng zhōngwén.As a teacher, he teaches students Chinese.
- 为，。wéi péngyou, wǒ gāi bāng nǐ.As a friend, I should help you.
- 为。Tā chàng de gē wéi dàjiā suǒ xǐhuan.The song he sang is liked by everyone.
Grammar
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