为vs对

[daydreamer]

Anyone has any ideas about the differences between using 为 and 对. I know how to use them but that's all because I'm native speaker. When I tried to explain to a Chinese learner, I found I can't explain clearly.

For example:

饮食、睡眠，对一个人的健康十分重要。

他们为她的成功高兴。

I know here 为 and 对can't instead each other, but i just can't explain why...

[autumn]

I am a native English speaker but my Chinese level is just so, so. According to my dictionary

对- with regard to/concerning

为- in the interest of, for

Diet and sleep are extremely important in regard to a persons health.

饮食、睡眠，对一个人的健康十分重要。

He is very happy for her success.

他们为她的成功高兴。

[erong]

为 may mean for some/one's benefits

[semantic nuance]

I guess daydreamer might be puzzled in explaining the english word 'for' to chinese learners. According to <簡明漢語語法>,

介詞" 對" "對於"的作用是把跟謂語有關係的人或事物介紹出來 . 由" 對" "對於"組成的介詞結構在句中經常做狀語.

The function of the prepositions 對and 對於is to introduce persons or things which are related to the predicate. Prepositional structures formed with 對 and 對於 usually serve as adverbials. (p. 204)

It gives some examples, and I'll only list 2.

他對人很熱情

對於他的進步, 我們都感到高興.

I agree with autumn's interpretation. The following sentences are somewhat different to me. 我這樣做是為他好. 我這樣做是對他好. To me, the first sentence emphasizes the purpose--"for" his own good, while the second sentence stresses particularly on the "person" to whom will be beneficial. Just an opinion. Hope it helps.

[elina]

Please see New Chinese-English Dictionary of Function Words (Chinese-English)

对，page 116

http://photo.163.com/openpic.php?user=elinasatter&pid=505077007&_dir=%2F20531661

对，page 117

http://photo.163.com/openpic.php?user=elinasatter&pid=505079065&_dir=%2F20531661

对，page 118

http://photo.163.com/openpic.php?user=elinasatter&pid=505082296&_dir=%2F20531661

对于，page 119

http://photo.163.com/openpic.php?user=elinasatter&pid=505084397&_dir=%2F20531661

为，page 379

http://photo.163.com/openpic.php?user=elinasatter&pid=505087075&_dir=%2F20531661

为，page 380

http://photo.163.com/openpic.php?user=elinasatter&pid=505091028&_dir=%2F20531661

[Altair]

Anyone has any ideas about the differences between using 为 and 对

I think that the root meaning of 为 comes from the notion of "action" and "conduct," whereas the root meaning of 对 comes from "facing." As a general rule, I think you use 为 when "for" means acting on somebody's behalf and you use 对 when the meaning is simply looking towards someone's position or interests. I think those who equate 对 with "regarding" are also giving a useful shortcut.

[semantic nuance]

The following is my answer to libertango's question--translating 'For'. Hope it helps.

For--為 wei4--means 'for the benifit of'; it is used on the occasion in the sense that

something is done/made for one.

---對....來說--means 'to the opinion of someone's';it is used to indicate how something affects someone.

Put these two in one sentence as follows:

The spicy soup exclsively for me is too spicy for me, (although I am into spicy food.)

這特別為我做的辣湯對我來說還是太辣了( 雖然我很喜歡吃辣)

Hope it helps.