以…的身份
as; in the capacity (or guise) of
Structure
主语 以 角色 的身份 ＋ 动词
What it means
“As; in the capacity of”: says in what role someone acts. 以 is the written “as, by means of”; 身份 is the role.
How it is built
Subject + 以 + role + 的身份 + verb: 她以志愿者的身份参加了这次救援 (she took part in the rescue as a volunteer). 的 is often dropped in set phrases: 以个人身份, 以嘉宾身份出席.
When to use it
Written and formal. 用…的身份 is heard in casual speech; in speech people often just say 作为…. 以…的名义 (3-18) is close but means “in the name of, under the banner of”.
Watch out
The phrase goes before the verb: ✗结交士大夫以西儒的身份 ✓以西儒的身份结交士大夫. In writing use 以, not 用.
Examples
利玛窦改穿儒服，以“西儒”的身份结交士大夫。
Ricci changed into a scholar’s robes and cultivated the scholar-officials as a “Western scholar”.
她以志愿者的身份参加了这次救援。
She took part in the rescue as a volunteer.
我以朋友的身份劝你一句：别冲动。
Let me give you a word of advice as a friend: do not do anything rash.
Learn this in Lesson 247 · HSK 9+: 利玛窦与徐光启 (Matteo Ricci and Xu Guangqi)
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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