为了
HSK 3- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Preposition 为了 is used to indicate the purpose of an action, usually translated as 'in order to', 'for'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
为了 (wèile) is a preposition used to introduce the purpose or goal of an action. It answers the question "What for?"
The clause containing 为了 is typically placed at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the main clause describing the action taken to achieve that purpose. This structure emphasizes the reason or goal before stating the specific action.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 为了学好中文，他去了中国。繁: 為了學好中文，他去了中國。Wèile xué hǎo Zhōngwén, tā qù le Zhōngguó.
To learn Chinese well, he went to China.
- 为了健康，我每天都运动。繁: 為了健康，我每天都運動。Wèile jiànkāng, wǒ měitiān dōu yùndòng.
For the sake of health, I exercise every day.
- 为了买房子，他们很努力工作。繁: 為了買房子，他們很努力工作。Wèile mǎi fángzi, tāmen hěn nǔlì gōngzuò.
In order to buy a house, they worked very hard.
- 我这么做都是为了你！繁: 我這麼做都是為了你！Wǒ zhème zuò dōu shì wèile nǐ!
I'm doing all this for you!
- 为了赶上飞机，我们很早就出门了。繁: 為了趕上飛機，我們很早就出門了。Wèile gǎnshàng fēijī, wǒmen hěn zǎo jiù chūmén le.
To catch the flight, we left home very early.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:因为考试，我每天学习。Correct:为了考试，我每天学习。
因为 indicates cause (because the test is difficult), while 为了 indicates purpose (in order to pass the test). Here, since the purpose is the exam, 为了 must be used.
- Wrong:我每天运动，为了健康。Correct:为了健康，我每天运动。
Clauses indicating purpose with 为了 typically stand at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis; placing it at the end of the sentence sounds less natural.