Whenever the reason behind an action — or your emotional reaction to something — needs a “for,” 為为 wèi is the word to reach for.
1 Structure
為为 wèi + Sth or Sb + Verb
It is used to express the reason or motivation behind an action.
為大家的健康乾杯为大家的健康干杯
Cheers to everyone’s health.
為孩子戒菸为孩子戒烟
Quit smoking for the sake of children.
她每天都為買房存錢她每天都为买房攒钱
She saves money every day to buy a house.
你應該為你說過的話道歉你应该为你说过的话道歉
You should apologize for what you said.
Cultural Note: Showing Sympathy in Chinese
In English, it is common to say “I am sorry for you,” but in Chinese, we don’t express it in the same way. The literal translation would be 我為为你抱歉 wǒ wèi nǐ bàoqiàn, but this doesn’t align with our cultural norms. In Chinese culture, we would simply ask “Are you okay?” (你還好嗎 nǐ háihǎo ma你还好吗 nǐ háihǎo ma?) to show concern.
為为 wèi + Sth or Sb + SV
This pattern is common with emotion adjectives — the feeling that a person or event triggers in you.
為你的好成績高興为你的好成绩高兴
I’m happy for your good grades.
恭喜你要結婚了,我為你感到開心恭喜你要结婚了,我为你感到开心
Congratulations! Happy Wedding! I’m happy for you.
最近的新聞讓我為台灣的未來擔心最近的新闻让我为台湾的未来担心
The recent news makes me worry about Taiwan’s future.
你做得太好了,我真為你驕傲你做得太好了,我真为你骄傲
You’re doing great, and I’m really proud of you.
他真是個渣男,我聽了都為妳不平!他真是个渣男,我听了都为妳不平!
He’s such a scumbag, I feel indignant for you just by hearing about it!
Slang Note: 渣男 zhānán — “Scumbag”
渣男 zhānán is a Chinese slang term used to describe a man who may not be reliable, honest, or have the best moral compass. The word 渣 zhā translates to “dregs” or “residue,” implying that these people might not have the highest quality or moral standards. Just a heads up, 渣男 zhānán is a casual and informal term commonly used in everyday conversations and social media rather than in formal settings.
2 Practice
Tap the card to see the answer.
01There are only three minutes left in the game, and I feel nervous for them.
比賽只剩最後3分鐘了,真為他們緊張比赛只剩最后3分钟了,真为他们紧张
👆 Tap to reveal
02Let’s work together for the future.
讓我們一起為未來努力让我们一起为未来努力
👆 Tap to reveal
03I started exercising for my health.
我為我的健康開始運動。我为我的健康开始运动。
👆 Tap to reveal
04My parents worry about my safety.
我的父母為我的安全擔心。我的父母为我的安全担心。
👆 Tap to reveal
05The whole class is happy for his good news.
全班同學都為他的好消息感到高興。全班同学都为他的好消息感到高兴。
👆 Tap to reveal
06I feel sad for the stray cat.
我為那隻流浪貓感到難過。我为那只流浪猫感到难过。
👆 Tap to reveal
07She apologized to me for being late.
她為遲到向我道歉。她为迟到向我道歉。
👆 Tap to reveal
08Everyone is anxious about tomorrow’s exam.
大家都為明天的考試著急。大家都为明天的考试着急。
👆 Tap to reveal
09He was moved by his friend’s help.
他為朋友的幫助感到感動。他为朋友的帮助感到感动。
👆 Tap to reveal
10We should feel proud of our hard work.
我們應該為自己的努力感到驕傲。我们应该为自己的努力感到骄傲。
👆 Tap to reveal