爲

The traditional form is 爲, while the simplified/common variant in many Chinese contexts is 为.

Ancient forms show a hand holding a tool over an elephant-like shape, often interpreted as “to tame/drive animals” → generalized to “to do, to act.”

In compound structures, it came to serve as both a verb (“do, become”) and a preposition (“for, on account of”).

Semantic range:

- to perform an action: 하다, 행하다

- to become something: 되다

- to act for, on behalf of: 위하다

- functional use in Classical Chinese grammar: equivalent to “for the sake of / because of”

행위 (行爲) – act, deed

위하여 (爲하여) – for the sake of

위인 (爲人) – character, conduct of a person

무위 (無爲) – non-action (Daoist concept)

위법 (違法爲) – unlawful act