1.
to accomplish, to achieve
To successfully complete or bring about something.
彼は偉業を為した。
He accomplished a great achievement.
為すべきことを為す。
Do what must be done.
為す術もなく見ているしかなかった。
I could only watch helplessly without being able to do anything.
2.
to form, to constitute
To make up or compose something.
この島は火山によって為されたものだ。
This island was formed by a volcano.
多くの島が列を為している。
Many islands form a chain.
一つ一つの努力が大きな成果を為す。
Each individual effort produces great results.
為す is a literary/formal verb meaning 'to accomplish' or 'to do.' In modern speech, する is much more common.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: Transitive (他動詞)
- Pattern: Xを為す
REGISTER: Literary/Formal
This verb is primarily used in formal writing, set expressions, and proverbs. It's rarely used in everyday conversation.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 為すべきこと (what should be done)
- 為す術がない (to have no way to do anything)
- 志を為す (to accomplish one's aspiration)
- 「為せば成る」(Where there's a will, there's a way)
NOTE: Often written in hiragana as なす or in set expressions.