以为 meaning in English
to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless referring to one's own current belief)
Meaning of 以为
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless referring to one's own current belief)
How to use 以为
以为 is most often used when the belief was mistaken, especially in the past. It often pairs with 原来 (yuánlái) or 其实 (qíshí) to reveal the truth. Example: 我以为你不来了。(Wǒ yǐwéi nǐ bù lái le.) I thought you weren't coming.
以 (yǐ) means "to take" or "by means of" and 为 (wéi) means "as." So 以为 is "to take something as true," which is often a guess that turns out wrong.
Common mistake: Learners use 以为 for a sincere opinion, as in 我以为这本书很好, which can sound like "I thought so, but I was wrong." Use 认为 (rènwéi) or 觉得 (juéde) for a real opinion. Also note that 为 here is second tone wéi, not fourth tone wèi as in 为什么.
以为 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
以 yǐ · to use · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
为 wèi · because of · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 以为.
| 可以 | kěyǐ | can; may |
| 为什么 | wèi shénme | why?; for what reason? |
| 因为 | yīnwèi | because; owing to; on account of |
| 所以 | suǒyǐ | therefore; as a result |
| 认为 | rènwéi | to believe; to think; to consider; to feel |
| 以前 | yǐqián | before; formerly |
| 成为 | chéngwéi | to become; to turn into |
| 以后 | yǐhòu | after; later |
| 行为 | xíngwéi | action; conduct; behavior; activity |
| 以上 | yǐshàng | that level or higher; that amount or more; the above-mentioned |
| 以外 | yǐwài | apart from; other than |
| 以下 | yǐxià | that level or lower; that amount or less |
Questions about 以为
What does 以为 mean?
以为 (yǐwéi) means "to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless referring to one's own current belief)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 以为?
以为 is made of 2 characters: 以 (4 strokes), 为 (4 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 以为 an HSK word?
Yes. 以为 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 以为 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 以为 is written 以為.
What is the difference between 以为 and 认为?
认为 (rènwéi) states a considered opinion and is neutral. 以为 usually suggests the belief was false. 我认为他对 means you think he is right, while 我以为他对 hints that he wasn't.
Can 以为 ever describe a correct belief?
Yes, in formal or written Chinese, especially when talking about your own current view, as in 我以为此事不妥 (I believe this matter is inappropriate). In everyday speech, though, listeners will usually hear it as a mistaken assumption.