Explaining purpose with "wei... er..."
为⋯⋯,而⋯⋯(wèi...ér...) is a structure used to clearly express the purpose of an action.
Structure
Subj. + 为 + Goal + 而 + Efforts Made
Sometimes, 为 can be replaced with 为了, which is less formal.
To make the pattern negative, simply add 不 before 为:
Subj. + 不 + 为 + Goal + 而 + Efforts Made
Examples
- 很多中国父母为孩子而活。Many Chinese parents live for their children.
- 我们为梦想而奋斗。We fight for our dreams.
- 为我们的健康而多做锻炼。We exercise more for the sake of our health.
- 你是为钱而工作吗?Do you work for money?
- 我是为朋友而做的这件事情。I'm doing this for a friend.
- 他为了能去日本而苦学日语。He studied Japanese hard in order to be able to go to Japan.
- 李甜为了男朋友而学的医生。Li Tian studied to be a doctor for her boyfriend.
- 这不仅仅是为娱乐而修建的公园。This parks was not built solely for entertainment.
- 你不为父母而考虑,也要考虑考虑你自己。You don't consider your parents, but consider yourself.
- 不为明天而努力,那你为了什么而努力?If you aren't working hard for tomorrow then what are you working so hard for?
See also
Sources and further reading
- HSK Standard Course 4下 (pp. 94) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- 卓越汉语-公司实战篇 (pp. 135) 卓越汉语-公司实战篇 →buy
Websites
- Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Usage of 而