What does 为 mean in Chinese?

为 (wéi) means "as (in the capacity of); to take sth as; to act as; to serve as; to behave as; to become; to be; to do; by (in the passive voice)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 3.

How do you pronounce 为?

为 is pronounced "wéi" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 2.

What HSK level is 为?

为 is an HSK 3 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 2 on the old exam, HSK 3 on the new one.

What words contain the character 为?

Common words with 为 include 不以为然 (not to accept as correct (idiom); to object), 不作为 (nonfeasance), 不失为 (can still be considered (to be...)), 一之为甚 (Once is enough (idiom)), 一分为二 (one divides into two).

How do you write 为?

为 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 丶. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

为 (wéi), as (in the capacity of)

为

wéi

as (in the capacity of); to take sth as; to act as; to serve as

HSK 3 Was HSK 2verb4 strokes

Traditional: 為

Character Breakdown

Dots of effort — doing for a purpose

Radical: 丶 (no. 3)Strokes: 4Traditional: 為

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) as (in the capacity of)
to take sth as
to act as
to serve as
to behave as
to become
to be
to do
by (in the passive voice)

Example Sentences

你为什么不来？

Nǐ wèishénme bù lái

Why didn't you come?

Words Containing 为

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
不以为然	bù yǐ wéi rán	not to accept as correct (idiom); to object	HSK 7-9
不作为	bù zuò wéi	nonfeasance
不失为	bù shī wéi	can still be considered (to be...)
一之为甚	yī zhī wéi shèn	Once is enough (idiom)
一分为二

Related Words

做(zuò)· to do

→

作为(zuò wéi)· one's conduct

→

效力(xiào lì)· effectiveness

→

效劳(xiào láo)· to serve (in some capacity)

→

Grammar Notes

Comparison with 比HSK 2

A 比 B + Adjective (+ Specific Amount)

Because/So (因为...所以)HSK 2

因为 + Reason, 所以 + Result

Although (虽然...但是)HSK 2

虽然 + Concession, 但是/可是 + Contrast

Passive with 被HSK 3

Receiver + 被 + (Doer) + Verb + Complement/了

For the Purpose Of (为了)HSK 4

为了 + Purpose/Goal, Subject + Action OR Subject + 为了 + Purpose + Action

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 3
HSK 2.0: HSK 2
HSK Lord study list: HSK 2 list

为: HSK 2 on the old exam, HSK 3 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 3 exam

Studying for HSK 3? Keep 为 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 3 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.