Using "yi... wei..."

One of the most elegant grammar patterns is 以 A 为 B (yǐ A wéi B). It is often found in formal writing and speech, and it is also one of the classical Chinese forms that is still in use today. In short, it means "Using A as B" or "taking A as B."

Structure

This grammar pattern is as versatile as "using/taking A as B" is in English. We might say "take his example as our standard", "use this piece as an example", or "take charity as our central tenet."

以 + A + 为 + B

Look to the following for some examples of how this pattern can be used

Examples

• 以 先进 科技 为 手段，以 发展 生产力 为 目标。
• 许多 外国 企业 在 中国 快速 发展，以 麦当劳 为 例，2000 年 有 50 家，现在 有 500 家。
• 我们 公司 是 以 亚洲 市场 为 主，以 欧美 市场 为 辅。

Commonly used expressions with 以

This grammar structure is often used with couplets and proverbs. Here are a few examples

• 以人为本
• 民以食为天
• 以民生为本
• 以服务人民为荣

Phrases like this are often used in government reports, newspapers, and academia.

Sources and further reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (p. 54-55) →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (p. 135) →buy
• Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 275) →buy