为了 (wèile) and 因为 (yīnwèi) both have the character "为" in them, and they have sort of similar meanings: 为了 means "in order to" and 因为 means "because." Using them properly is important if you want to master Chinese!

为了

为了 can be used to mean "in order to," basically expressing some purpose. In English we may say some things like: "In order to get fit, I will go jogging every day." It can be put in the beginning or end of a sentence, and it can also be placed after the subject.

Structure

Examples

为了有一份好工作，他去了上海。In order to get a good job, he went to Shanghai.
为了自己的将来，我们应该好好学习。For a good future for ourselves, we should really study well.
为了能学好中文，他来到了中国。In order to be able to learn Chinese well, he came to China.
为了不被人笑话，这个孩子从来不出门。So that people don't laugh at him, this boy never goes outside.

因为

The simplest definition of 因为 is "because." When used at the beginning of a sentence, it is often used with 所以 (which can mean "therefore" or "as a result") to express a cause and effect relationship.

Structure

Examples

因为他想有一份好工作，所以他去了上海。Because he wants to get a good job, he went to Shanghai.
因为我想有一个好的将来，所以我现在好好学习。Because I want to have a good future, I'm going to study well now.
因为他想学好中文，所以他来到了中国。Because he wants to study Chinese well, he came to China.
因为不想被别人笑话，这个孩子从来不出门。Because he doesn't want people to laugh at him, this boy never goes outside.

Examples of right and wrong sentences

因为让妹妹上学，他出去打工。

"Because" doesn't make sense in this sentence.

为了让妹妹上学，他出去打工。

为了 means "in order to"

为了今天要下雨，我带了一把雨伞。

"In order to" doesn't make sense in this sentence.

因为今天要下雨，（所以）我带了一把雨伞。

因为 means "Because"

Example dialog

A: 你为什么来上海？Why did you come to Shanghai?
B: 因为我在这里工作。Because I work here.
A: 你为什么不在美国工作？Why don't you work in the USA?
B: 为了我的太太。她是上海人。For my wife. She's Shanghainese.

为了

Structure

Examples

因为

Structure

Examples

Examples of right and wrong sentences

Example dialog

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books