奉…为…
to revere sb/sth as; to hold up as
Structure
主语 奉 人／物 为 身份（神、师、经典、楷模） · 把 人／物 奉为 身份 · 被奉为 身份
What it means
To revere someone or something as an honoured role: a god, a master, a classic, a model. 奉 is to hold with respect; 为 (wéi) means “as”.
How it is built
奉 A 为 B, 把 A 奉为 B, or passive A 被奉为 B: 渔民奉她为海上的保护神 (fishermen revered her as their protector at sea).
When to use it
Written and solemn; suits gods, teachers, texts and maxims (奉为经典, 奉为座右铭). Used of something trivial it sounds ironic. For an everyday “treat as” use 把…当作….
Watch out
✗他奉我为朋友 ✓他把我当朋友: 奉 is too lofty for ordinary relations. Read 为 as wéi, not wèi.
Examples
渔民奉她为海上的保护神。
Fishermen revered her as their protector at sea.
不少年轻厨师把这本老菜谱奉为经典。
Many young chefs treat this old cookbook as a classic.
这位老中医医术高明，被当地人奉为“神医”。
The old doctor of Chinese medicine is so skilled that local people hail him as a miracle healer.
Learn this in Lesson 245 · HSK 9+: 妈祖 (Mazu, goddess of the sea)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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