Definitions

wéi (verb) to be; to act as; to serve as
wéi (verb) to do; to make
wèi (particle) for; because of

Etymology

Simplified form of . Pictograph of a hand () guiding an elephant () to do work (in ancient China elephants were tamed to do work). Based on the meaning "to work; to do".

About

The character "为" originates from an early pictographic concept of a hand guiding an elephant, embodying the idea of performing or constructing, with its traditional form "爲" maintaining the distinct elements representing the animal and the hand. Over long periods of stylistic adaptation, the character's structure was condensed into its simplified shape, which obscured the original visual representation. Its meaning initially centered on concrete actions like doing or making, but eventually extended to include abstract grammatical roles, such as functioning as a verb meaning "to be" or serving as a preposition to denote purpose, illustrating a transition from literal activity to broader linguistic application.

Example Sentences Hide

你高兴。

Wǒ wèi nǐ gāoxìng.

I am happy for you.

什么不来?

Nǐ wèishénme bù lái?

Why don't you come?

他成医生了。

Tā chéngwéi yīshēng le.

He became a doctor.

我认这是对的。

Wǒ rènwéi zhè shì duì de.

I think this is correct.

他的行很勇敢。

Tā de xíngwéi hěn yǒnggǎn.

His behavior is very brave.

这本书是孩子写的。

Zhè běn shū shì wèi háizi xiě de.

This book is written for children.

我们了学习而努力。

Wǒmen wèile xuéxí ér nǔlì.

We work hard for studying.

政府人民服务。

Zhèngfǔ wèi rénmín fúwù.

The government serves the people.