“Explaining purpose” – wèi… ér…

Grammar Point:
The 為 wèi…而 ér… structure in Chinese is used to explain purpose or reason, similar to saying “for the purpose of” or “in order to” in English. This structure emphasizes why an action is taken or what it’s aimed at achieving.

Structure

為为 wèi + Purpose/Reason + 而 ér + Action/Outcome

This structure is typically used in written or formal contexts, but it’s common enough in speech, especially when someone wants to emphasize the purpose or goal behind their actions.

他tā為wèi學習xuéxí而ér搬bān到dào北京běijīng他tā为wèi学习xuéxí而ér搬bān到dào北京běijīng
He moved to Beijing for studying.

我wǒ為wèi了le教jiāo中文zhōngwén而ér開始kāishǐ用yòngIG我wǒ为wèi了le教jiāo中文zhōngwén而ér开始kāishǐ用yòngInsta
I started using Instagram to teach Chinese.

你nǐ是shì為wèi什麼shénme而ér活huó？ 你nǐ是shì为wèi什么shénme而ér活huó？
What do you live for?

他tā為wèi了le騙piàn你nǐ什麼shénme話huà都dōu說shuō得de出來chūlái他tā为wèi了le骗piàn你nǐ什么shénme话huà都dōu说shuō得de出来chūlái
He’ll say anything to deceive you.

我們wǒmen要yào為wèi成功chénggōng而ér努力nǔlì我们wǒmen要yào为wèi成功chénggōng而ér努力nǔlì
We must work hard for success.

這zhè個ge年輕人niánqīngrén為wèi了le家人jiārén的de醫藥費yìyàofèi而ér做zuò三sān份fèn工gōng这zhè个ge年轻人niánqīngrén为wèi了le家人jiārén的de医药费yìyàofèi而ér做zuò三sān份fèn工gōng
This young person works three jobs to pay for family medical expenses.

台灣Táiwān為wèi環保háibǎo而ér禁止jìnzhǐ使用shǐyòng吸管xīguǎn跟gēn塑膠sùjiāo杯bēi台湾Táiwān为wèi环保háibǎo而ér禁止jìnzhǐ使用shǐyòng吸管xīguǎn跟gēn塑料sùliào杯bēi
Taiwan has banned the use of straws and plastic cups for environmental protection.

FYI
Did you know Taiwan’s on a mission to ditch single-use plastics? 🌏 Starting back in 2019, Taiwan rolled out some cool changes to help protect the environment—like banning plastic straws at major restaurants and cafes! 🥤 And guess what? By 2030, Taiwan plans to be completely single-use plastic-free. It’s like eco-friendly is the new national vibe! ♻️ 🌱
But hey, that’s all in theory! In reality, you’ll still spot plastic straws and cups everywhere in Taiwan—just now you have to pay a little extra for them. Because, let’s be honest, expecting everyone to carry a thick straw at all times for their bubble tea fix is just a bit… ambitious. 😅

為为了 wèi and 為为 wèi

“為为了 wèile” Used for Purpose:

Indicates doing something “for a particular goal or reason.”
It is usually followed by specific actions or objects.
It can be understood as “in order to” or “for the purpose of.”

“為为 wèi” Used in More Abstract or Formal Expressions:

Typically appears in written language or idioms.
It conveys a more abstract concept or idea.
It often appears in fixed phrases or set expressions.

• To See More Different Functions About 而 ér