Classical Words of the Day: April 1st, 2015

The Copula 為wei4
can be used in the sense of "to be," like the modern 作。

孟子為卿於齊
Mencius  was a minister of Qi.  (Mencius 2B/6)

子為誰
Literal:  sir make who
Translation:  Who are you? (LunYu 18/6)

不為不多矣
Literal: not make not many PERFECT
Translation:  is (already) not not-many.  (Mencius 1A/1)


Reference:  Pulleyblank, Edwin G. Outline of Classical Chinese Grammar. Vancouver [B.C.: UBC, 1995. Print.