exPreSSiNG CaUSe aNd eFFeCt or reaSoN aNd reSUlt
44.4
为了/為了 wéi le can be used to identify some noun phrase as the reason for performing some
action.
为了/為了 (noun phrase)
wéi le (noun phrase)
because of/for the sake of (noun phrase)
我这样做，完全是为了你。
我這樣做，完全是為了你。
Wǒ zhèyàng zuò, wánquán shì wéi le nǐ.
My doing this is completely for you. (I’m doing this all for you.)
44.3 Introducing the effect or result
In this pattern, 为了/為了 wéi le introduces a desired effect or result.
为了 situation 起见... ,
為了 situation 起見... ,
wéi le situation qǐjiàn,...
in order to, for the purpose of (obtaining the situation)
为了安全起见，绝对禁止司机酒后开车。
為了安全起見，絕對禁止司機酒後開車。
Wéi le ānquán qǐjiàn, juéduì jìnzhǐ sījī jiǔ hòu kāi chē.
For the sake of safety, drivers are absolutely forbidden to drink and drive.
44.4 Inquiring about cause or reason
To inquire about the cause or reason for something, use the following expressions:
为什么/為甚麼？wèi shénme? ‘why?’
为什么/為甚麼 wèi shénme is the most common and neutral expression used to inquire about
the cause or reason for something.
你昨天为什么没来上课？
你昨天為甚麼沒來上課？
Nǐ zuótiān wèi shénme méi lái shàng kè?
Why didn’t you come to class yesterday?
你为什么还在这儿？
你為甚麼還在這兒？
Nǐ wèi shénme hái zài zhèr?
Why are you still here?
怎么？/ 怎麼？zěnme? ‘why? how come?’
怎么/怎麼 zěnme is used to inquire about the reason for something, at the same time conveying
surprise or disapproval. It may not require an answer.
他说今天来，怎么没来？
他說今天來，怎麼沒來？
Tā shuō jīntiān lái, zěnme méi lái?
He said he was coming today. Why hasn’t he come?
你不说，我怎么知道？
你不說，我怎麼知道？
Nǐ bù shuō, wǒ zěnme zhīdao?
If you don’t say (if you don’t tell me), how can I know?
