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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "be" or "act as" with 为 (wéi)

    Existence & Possession
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Subject + 为 + Noun/Adjective

    Explanation

    为 (wéi) means "to be," "to act as," or "to serve as" and is used in formal or literary Chinese. It functions similarly to 是 but carries a more formal tone. It also appears in many set expressions and compound words like 认为 (to think/consider) and 以为 (to assume).

    Examples

    • 此举被认为是一大进步。

      Cǐ jǔ bèi rènwéi shì yī dà jìnbù.

      This move is considered a major step forward.

    • 大家一致认为这个方案最好。

      Dàjiā yīzhì rènwéi zhège fāng'àn zuì hǎo.

      Everyone unanimously agreed that this plan is the best.

    • 他以为我不会来。

      Tā yǐwéi wǒ bù huì lái.

      He thought I wouldn't come.

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