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They are pronounced similarly and are both translated into "because". What is the difference in their meaning? When should I use one over the other?

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    There is no such thing as 应为, which seems like a typo or a spelling error. There is only 因为.
    – dROOOze
    Jun 22, 2018 at 8:20
  • Where did you find 应为 defined as »because«?
    – Philipp
    Jun 22, 2018 at 9:38
  • Welcome to Chinese Language SE. Can you add the link to your question? Or edit it to include full sentence?
    – Blaszard
    Jun 22, 2018 at 16:20

3 Answers 3

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"应为" does not mean "because". If it is used as because, then it is an error, maybe a typo.

"应为" used together, it is usually two separate words, and can mean "should(应) be(为)".

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We can break down the expression into individual characters:

  • 「因」means reason;
  • 「爲」(为), in this context, means to be.

In contrast, 「應」(应) means should.

  • 「因爲」is reason + be = because
  • 「應爲」can be seen as a shortening of 應該爲 (should + be)

Also, note that「因」is pronounced yīn, while「應」is pronounced yīng.

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应为 for "because" is a typo. It's not in 汉语大词典,for example.

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