Sentence PatternsHSK 6
Explaining purpose with "为... 而..."
This pattern indicates purpose or motivation: the reason (goal) is placed after 为 (or 为了), and the action taken for that goal follows 而. It often translates to 'do (action) for the sake of (goal)' or 'do (action) in order to (goal).' The negative form is 不为...而, meaning 'not do something for the sake of...' — do not place 不 before the action verb.
Structure
Subj. + 为 + Goal + 而 + Efforts Made
为 can be replaced with 为了 for a less formal tone
Subj. + 不 + 为 + Goal + 而 + Efforts Made
Examples
- 很多中国父母为孩子而活。Hěnduō Zhōngguó fùmǔ wèi háizi ér huó.Many Chinese parents live for their children.
- 我们为梦想而奋斗。Wǒmen wèi mèngxiǎng ér fèndòu.We fight for our dreams.
- 你是为钱而工作吗？Nǐ shì wèi qián ér gōngzuò ma?Do you work for money?
- 他为了能去日本而苦学日语。Tā wèile néng qù Rìběn ér kǔxué Rìyǔ.He studied Japanese hard in order to be able to go to Japan.
- 你不为父母而考虑，也要考虑考虑你自己。Nǐ bù wéi fùmǔ ér kǎolǜ, yě yào kǎolǜ kǎolǜ nǐ zìjǐ.You don't consider your parents, but consider yourself.