为
for (someone or something): be glad for, drink to
Structure
为 + 人／事 + 动词／形容词
What it means
为 (wèi, fourth tone) says who or what a feeling or action is for: 为你高兴 “happy for you”, 为新年干杯！ “To the New Year: cheers!”
How it is built
为 + person or thing + verb／adjective: 我们都为你高兴 (We’re all happy for you). In a toast: 为 + what you drink to + 干杯！
When to use it
With feelings and toasts only 为 works. For doing a job for someone, everyday speech usually uses 给: 妈妈给我们做饭. 为 works there too: 妈妈为我们做了很多菜.
Watch out
The 为 phrase comes before the feeling: ✗ 高兴为你 ✓ 为你高兴. 给 can’t do this job: ✗ 给你高兴 ✓ 为你高兴.
Examples
为新年干杯！
To the New Year: cheers!
我们都为你高兴。
We’re all happy for you.
妈妈为我们做了很多好吃的菜。
Mum cooked lots of tasty dishes for us.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 5: 过春节 (Spring Festival)
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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