What is the English Equivalent of "为了" in Common Questions and Answers
What is the English Equivalent of "为了"?
The Chinese word "为了" translates to "in order to" or "for the purpose of" in English. This phrase is commonly used to express the reason or goal behind an action or intention. Here are some common questions and their detailed answers related to this phrase:
Q1: How do I translate "为了" in a sentence?
A1: The translation of "为了" in a sentence depends on the context. If it's used to express a reason, you can use "in order to" or "for the purpose of." For example, "为了学习英语,我每天都要花两个小时。" translates to "In order to learn English, I spend two hours every day." If it's used to indicate a goal, "in order to" is the most appropriate translation. For example, "为了实现梦想,他付出了很多努力。" translates to "In order to achieve his dream, he has put in a lot of effort."
Q2: Can "为了" be used to express a goal?
A2: Yes, "为了" can indeed be used to express a goal. It is often followed by a noun or a noun phrase that represents the objective. For instance, in the sentence "为了赢得比赛,团队进行了严格的训练。" ("In order to win the game, the team underwent rigorous training."), "为了赢得比赛" means "in order to win the game," indicating the goal of the team's efforts.
Q3: Is there a difference between "为了" and "为了...而..."?
A3: Yes, there is a difference. "为了" alone means "in order to" or "for the purpose of," focusing on the intention or action. On the other hand, "为了...而..." (with "而" meaning "but" or "however") introduces a contrast or additional information. For example, "为了健康,我每天锻炼,而我的朋友却总是熬夜。" ("In order to stay healthy, I exercise every day, but my friend always stays up late."), where "而" contrasts the speaker's healthy lifestyle with their friend's nocturnal habits.
Q4: Can "为了" be used in conditional sentences?
A4: Yes, "为了" can be used in conditional sentences to express a reason or a purpose that would lead to a certain action if the condition were met. For example, "如果明天不下雨,为了参加比赛,我们会提前做好准备。" ("If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we will prepare in advance in order to participate in the competition.") Here, "为了参加比赛" sets the purpose for the condition mentioned.
Q5: How do I use "为了" with a negative purpose?
A5: To express a negative purpose using "为了," you can say "为了...不..." which means "in order not to..." or "to avoid..." For instance, "为了不迟到,我早早地就出发了。" ("In order not to be late, I left early.") This construction is used to emphasize the negative outcome that the speaker is trying to avoid.