为為 wèi — for, on behalf of (introducing the beneficiary)
wèi (fourth tone, falling)wei4
Traditional: 為
for, on behalf of (introducing the beneficiary)
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 3· Three-band, nine-level standardpreposition
Meanings
for, on behalf of (introducing the beneficiary)
Marks the person something is done for or felt about: 我为你高兴 I am happy for you, 为大家服务 to serve everybody. It names a beneficiary, never a purpose.
preposition
Example sentences
- 我为你高兴。我為你高興。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) wèi (fourth tone, falling) nǐ (third tone, dipping) gāoxìng. (first tone, high and level)···
I’m happy for you.
- 妈妈为我们做了很多菜。媽媽為我們做了很多菜。Māma (first tone, high and level) wèi (fourth tone, falling) wǒmen (third tone, dipping) zuòle (fourth tone, falling) hěn (third tone, dipping) duō (first tone, high and level) cài. (fourth tone, falling)···
Mum cooked a lot of dishes for us.
Common mistakes
Not quite我为了你高兴。
Correct我为你高兴。
为 introduces whom something is for; 为了 introduces what it is for — a purpose, and it needs a clause: 为了学习汉语，我去了中国. Being happy has a beneficiary, not a purpose.