HSK 5
为的是: The Purpose Is in Chinese
为的是 introduces the purpose that motivates an action already mentioned. It places explanatory focus on why the action was taken and is common when a speaker clarifies intention. Unlike 为了, which usually heads the purpose phrase before an action, 为的是 commonly follows the action and opens a full purpose clause.
STRUCTURE
Action, 为的是 + Intended purpose clause
When to use 为的是… — and when not
Use it when
- Explain an earlier action: 我早点儿出门，为的是避开堵车。
- Clarify the intention behind a decision or arrangement.
- Contrast an intended goal with a possible misunderstanding.
Don't use it when
- Do not leave 为的是 without a purpose clause.
- Do not split the fixed expression 为的是 by inserting its purpose inside it.
- Use 由于 or 因为 when explaining a cause rather than an intended purpose.
Right vs. wrong
我早点儿出门，为的避开堵车是。
我早点儿出门，为的是避开堵车。
The fixed expression is split
为的是 is a fixed unit that must come before the complete purpose clause.
老师没讲新内容，为的是。
老师没讲新内容，为的是让我们多练习。
The purpose clause is omitted
为的是 must be followed by the intended purpose.
Examples
我早点儿出门，为的是避开堵车。
Wǒ zǎo diǎnr chūmén, wèi de shì bìkāi dǔchē.
I left early in order to avoid traffic.
她发这个消息，为的是提醒大家。
Tā fā zhège xiāoxi, wèi de shì tíxǐng dàjiā.
She sent this message to remind everyone.
老师没讲新内容，为的是让我们多练习。
Lǎoshī méi jiǎng xīn nèiróng, wèi de shì ràng wǒmen duō liànxí.
The teacher introduced no new material so that we could practice more.
Common mistakes
我早点儿出门，为的避开堵车是。
Wǒ zǎo diǎnr chūmén, wèi de bìkāi dǔchē shì.
Keep 为的是 together before the purpose.
老师没讲新内容，为的是。
Lǎoshī méi jiǎng xīn nèiróng, wèi de shì.
Add a complete purpose clause after 为的是.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 为的是… sentence and check that grammar point first.
为的是: The Purpose Is FAQ
How is 为的是 different from 为了?
为了 usually introduces purpose before an action. 为的是 often follows an action and explicitly explains the intention behind it.
Does 为的是 express cause or purpose?
It expresses intended purpose. Use causal expressions such as 因为 or 由于 for a factual cause.
Related Chinese grammar points
以便…
以便: So That / In Order To
Easy to confuse
Compare explaining purpose afterward with enabling a later action.
为了…而…
为了...而...: For a Purpose
Easy to confuse
Contrast action-first explanation with a purpose phrase placed first.
以免/免得…
以免/免得: So as to Avoid
Compare
Separate a desired intention from an unwanted result to prevent.