How to write 为 (wéi, “as”)
为, an HSK 2 character, is read wéi for “as” and “to take sth as”, and also wèi (“because of”). The traditional form is 為, 12 strokes instead of 4. On its own it is an HSK 3 word; it also forms 为什么 (“why?”), 因为 (“because”) and 为了 (“for”). Japanese keeps the traditional 為, read i (“do”).
- Pinyin
- wéi, wèi
- Strokes
- 4
- HSK
- 2
- Radical
- 丶 (“dot”)
- Traditional
- 為
Stroke by stroke
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
As an overlapping character it splits into 丶 (“dot”, the radical), stroke 1; 力丶, strokes 2–4, written the first part first.
- top leftdown and right
- topdownwards → down and left
- leftrightwards → downwards
- centerdown and right
Traditional form
- Simplified
- 为 · 4 strokes
- Traditional
- 為 · 12 strokes · see its strokes
Trace it
Follow the numbers. Tracing help
Pinyin and meaning
| Pinyin | Meanings | Traditional | In words |
|---|---|---|---|
| wéi second tone | as (in the capacity of); to take sth as; to act as; to serve as; to behave as | 為 | 以为 认为 作为 分为 |
| wèi fourth tone | because of; for; to | 為 | 为什么 因为 为了 |
- HSK 2025 syllabus
- level 2
- 2021 standard
- level 2
- HSK 2.0
- in a level 2 word
- Words with it
- 231 in CC-CEDICT
Words with 为
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 为 為 | wèi | because of; for HSK 3 |
| 为什么 為什麼 | wèishénme | why?; for what reason? HSK 2 |
| 因为 因為 | yīnwèi | because; owing to HSK 2 |
| 为了 為了 | wèile | for; for the purpose of HSK 3 |
| 以为 以為 | yǐwéi | to think; to believe… HSK 3 |
| 认为 認為 | rènwéi | to believe; to think HSK 3 |
| 作为 作為 | zuòwéi | one's conduct; deed HSK 4 |
| 分为 分為 | fēnwéi | to divide sth into (parts); to subdivide HSK 4 |
| 成为 成為 | chéngwéi | to become; to turn into HSK 4 |
| 视为 視為 | shìwéi | to view as; to see as HSK 5 |
HSK words first (CC-CEDICT).
Practice sheet
Print at 100%. Several characters: worksheet maker.
Keep going
HSK 2, in list order: