“As” in Chinese – zuòwéi

Grammar Point:
In Chinese grammar, 作為为 zuòwéi is used as a preposition to indicate the role, function, or identity of something or someone in a particular context. It is often translated as “as” or “in the capacity of” in English.

Structure

Zuòwéi + Noun (character or role)

作為zuòwéi一名yìmíng老師lǎoshī， 他tā擁有yōngyǒu豐富fēngfù的de教學jiāoxué經驗jīngyàn作为zuòwéi一名yìmíng老师lǎoshī， 他tā拥有yǒngyǒu丰富fēngfù的de教学jiāoxué经验jīngyàn
As a teacher, he has rich teaching experience.

作為zuòwéi你的nǐde朋友péngyǒu， 我wǒ一定yídìng要yào告訴gàosù你nǐ實話shíhuà作为zuòwéi你的nǐde朋友péngyou， 我wǒ一定yídìng要yào告诉gàosu你nǐ实话shíhuà
As your friend, I must tell you the truth.

他tā作為zuòwéi公司gōngsī的de總經理zǒngjīnglǐ， 負責fùzé制定zhìdìng公司gōngsī的de營運yíngyùn策略cèlüè他tā作为zuòwéi公司gōngsī的de总经理zǒngjīnglǐ， 负责fùzé制定zhìdìng公司gōngsī的de营运yíngyùn策略cèlüè
As the general manager of the company, he is responsible for formulating the company’s operational strategy.

作為zuòwéi一個yíge健身jiànshēn愛好者àihǎozhě， 他tā每天měitiān都dōu去qù健身房jiànshēnfáng作为zuòwéi一个yíge健身jiànshēn爱好者àihǎozhě， 他tā每天měitiān都dōu去qù健身房jiànshēnfáng
As a fitness enthusiast, he goes to the gym every day.

你nǐ作為zuòwéi長輩zhǎngbèi， 不是búshì更gèng應該yīnggāi好好hǎohāo理解lǐjiě晚輩wǎnbèi的de困難kùnnán嗎ma？ 你nǐ作为zuòwéi长辈zhǎngbèi， 不是búshì更gèng应该yīnggāi好好hǎohāo理解lǐjiě晚辈wǎnbèi的de困难kùnnán吗ma？
As an elder, shouldn’t you better understand the difficulties of the younger generation?

你nǐ作為zuòwéi中文zhōngwén老師lǎoshī竟然jìngrán不會búhuì寫xiě這個zhège字zì你nǐ作为zuòwéi中文zhōngwén老师lǎoshī竟然jìngrán不会búhuì写xiě这个zhège字zì
As a Chinese teacher, how come you don’t know how to write this character?

FYI
Chinese characters can be difficult, right? Don’t worry, you’re not alone in feeling that way. Let me tell you a secret, even modern Chinese people often forget how to write many characters because they mostly use typing. Even as a Chinese teacher, sometimes I have to say to my students, “Wait a moment, let me make sure how to write this character first.”

Different function of zuòwéi

As a Noun

作為为 zuòwéi can be used as a noun, meaning “role” or “position.” It is often used to indicate the role or status of someone or something in a particular context.

學生xuéshēng應該yīnggāi認真rènzhēn對待duìdài自己zìjǐ的de作為zuòwéi学生xuésheng应该yīnggāi认真rènzhēn对待duìdài自己zìjǐ的de作为zuòwéi
Students should take their roles seriously.

這zhè孩子háizi從cóng小xiǎo就jiù懂事dǒngshì， 未來wèilái一定yídìng會huì很hěn有yǒu作為zuòwéi这zhè孩子háizi从cóng小xiǎo就jiù懂事dǒngshì， 未来wèilái一定yídìng会huì很hěn有yǒu作为zuòwéi
This child has been sensible since childhood and will surely accomplish much in the future.

As a Verb

As a verb, 作為为 zuòwéi can mean “to act as” or “to serve as.” It is used to indicate the function or role that someone or something performs in a particular situation.

這zhè本běn書shū可以kěyǐ作為zuòwéi參考cānkǎo資料zīliào这zhè本běn书shū可以kěyǐ作为zuòwéi参考cānkǎo资料zīliào
This book can be used as a reference material.

這zhè項xiàng技能jìnéng可以kěyǐ作為zuòwéi他tā未來wèilái找zhǎo工作gōngzuò的de一個yíge競爭jìngzhēng優勢yōushì这zhè项xiàng技能jìnéng可以kěyǐ作为zuòwéi他tā未来wèilái找zhǎo工作gōngzuò的de一个yíge竞争jìngzhēng优势yōushì
This skill can serve as a competitive advantage for him in finding a job in the future.