Difference between revisions of "Expressing purpose with "weile""
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== 为了 as a preposition == | == 为了 as a preposition == | ||
| − | When 为了 indicates the purpose of an action, it's usually acting as a [[preposition | + | When 为了 indicates the purpose of an action, it's usually acting as a [[prepositions|preposition]]. In this role, the ''whole'' "为了 phrase" should come '''before''' the verb. |
Note also that 为了 is a single word; the 了 here is not serving its role as a particle in this case. | Note also that 为了 is a single word; the 了 here is not serving its role as a particle in this case. | ||
Revision as of 08:38, 30 May 2013
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Level
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Used for
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Keywords
为了 (wèile) is most often used to indicate the purpose of an action, or the person that will benefit from some act of kindness. In the "purpose" sense, it corresponds pretty well to "in order to" or "for the purpose of" in English.
Contents
为了 as a preposition
When 为了 indicates the purpose of an action, it's usually acting as a preposition. In this role, the whole "为了 phrase" should come before the verb.
Note also that 为了 is a single word; the 了 here is not serving its role as a particle in this case.
Structure
为了+ [some purpose], Subject + Predicate
Examples
- 为了 钱 ， 他 出卖 了 朋友 。 (money is the purpose)
- 为了 妻子，他 买 了 一 个 大 房子 。 (the wife benefits)
- 为了 有 一个 好 的 未来， 我 必须 好好 学习 。 (having a good future is the purpose)
为了 as a verb
Occasionally you will see 为了 acting as a verb by itself. In this case, it usually combines with 是, and the meaning is not hard to derive: "to be for."
Structure
Subject + (是 +) 为了 + Objective
Example
- 这 是 为了 你 。
See also
Sources and further reading
Podcasts
Books
- Home With Kids1 (家有儿女1) (p.32) →buy
