Meaning of 认为
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to believe; to think; to consider; to feel
How to use 认为
认为 introduces a considered opinion or judgment, and it is common in both speech and writing. It is usually followed by a full clause. Example: 我认为这个办法很好。(Wǒ rènwéi zhège bànfǎ hěn hǎo.) I think this method is good.
认 (rèn) means to recognize, as in 认识 (rènshi), and 为 (wéi) means to take something as. When you recognize something and take it as true, you believe it, so 认为 is "to think" in the sense of holding an opinion.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 认为 (rènwéi) with 以为 (yǐwéi). 以为 usually implies the belief turned out to be wrong, as in 我以为他走了 (I thought he had left, but he had not). 认为 simply states your opinion. Also note that 为 here is second tone wéi, not fourth tone wèi as in 因为 (yīnwèi).
认为 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.
认 rèn · to recognize · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
为 wèi · because of · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 认为.
| 认识 | rènshi | to know; to recognize |
| 认真 | rènzhēn | conscientious; earnest |
| 为什么 | wèi shénme | why?; for what reason? |
| 因为 | yīnwèi | because; owing to; on account of |
| 以为 | yǐwéi | to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless refe |
| 成为 | chéngwéi | to become; to turn into |
| 行为 | xíngwéi | action; conduct; behavior; activity |
| 为了 | wèile | for; for the purpose of; in order to |
| 称为 | chēngwéi | to be called; to be known as; to call it "..." |
| 认得 | rènde | to recognize; to remember sth (or sb) on seeing it |
| 否认 | fǒurèn | to declare to be untrue; to deny |
| 认出 | rènchū | recognition; to recognize |
Questions about 认为
What does 认为 mean?
认为 (rènwéi) means "to believe; to think; to consider; to feel" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 认为?
认为 is made of 2 characters: 认 (4 strokes), 为 (4 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 认为 an HSK word?
Yes. 认为 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 认为 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 认为 is written 認為.
What is the difference between 认为 and 觉得?
Both can mean "to think." 觉得 (juéde) is more casual and can express feelings or impressions, while 认为 sounds more formal and is used for reasoned opinions or judgments.
How do I say "I don't think so" with 认为?
Chinese usually puts the negation inside the clause or uses 不认为 directly. You can say 我不认为他是对的 (Wǒ bù rènwéi tā shì duì de), I don't think he is right. Saying 我认为他不对 is also very natural.