Comparing "weile" and "yinwei"

为了 (wèile) and 因为 (yīnwèi) both have the character "为" in them, and they have sort of similar meanings: 为了 means "in order to" and 因为 means "because." Using them properly is important if you want to master Chinese!

Used as an Conjunction

The simplest definition of 因为 is "because." When used at the beginning of a sentence, it is often used with 所以 (which can mean "therefore" or "as a result") to express a cause and effect relationship.

为了 means "in order to," basically expressing some purpose. In English we may say some things like: "In order to get fit, I will go jogging every day." 为了 can also be placed after the subject.

Structure

因为 ⋯⋯ ，(所以) ⋯⋯

⋯⋯ ，所以 ⋯⋯

为了 ⋯⋯ ，⋯⋯

Subj. + 为了+ sb. (+ Verb)

Example dialog

• A: 你 为什么 来 上海？Why did you come to Shanghai?
• B: 因为 我 在 这里 工作。Because I work here.
• A: 你 为什么 不 在 美国 工作？Why don't you work in the USA?
• B: 为了 我 的 太太。她 是 上海 人 。For my wife. She's Shanghainese.

See also

• Expressing purpose with "weile"
• Explaining causes with "yinwei"

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语虚词例释 (pp. 1) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 347-8) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

HSK4