Definition
为伍 is a literary separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to associate with' or 'to keep company with'. It almost always appears in the pattern 与/跟 + person/thing + 为伍, and often carries a negative or disapproving tone — you use it when the subject considers the companion undesirable or beneath them. Because it's a separable compound, you can insert 了 or 过 between 为 and 伍 (e.g., 与之为伍, 为过伍). This word has a formal, classical feel and is rare in everyday conversation.
v.o.
(formal) to associate withto keep company with (often in a negative or disapproving context)
Examples
- 。Wǒ cóngwèi yǔ zhè zhǒng rén wéi guò wǔ.I have never associated with people like that.
- ，为伍。Tā zìgān duòluò, jìngrán yǔ zhèxiē zuìfàn wéi.He was willing to degrade himself and actually associated with these criminals.
- 为伍。Wǒ bú yuàn yǔ jiàn lì wàng yì zhě wéi.I am unwilling to associate with those who forget honor for profit.
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