以为以為 yǐwéi — to think (wrongly), to assume
yǐwéi (third tone, dipping)yi3wei2
Traditional: 以為
to think (wrongly), to assume
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 3· Three-band, nine-level standardverb
Meanings
to think (wrongly), to assume
A belief the speaker has since found to be wrong. 我以为他不来了 says he did come. The mistake is built into the word, which is why 以为 cannot open an opinion you still hold — that is 觉得 or 认为.
verb
Example sentences
- 我以为他今天不来了。我以為他今天不來了。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) yǐwéi (third tone, dipping) tā (first tone, high and level) jīntiān (first tone, high and level) bù (fourth tone, falling) lái (second tone, rising) le. (neutral tone)···
I thought he wasn’t coming today (but he did).
- 大家都以为这个题很难，其实很简单。大家都以為這個題很難，其實很簡單。Dàjiā (fourth tone, falling) dōu (first tone, high and level) yǐwéi (third tone, dipping) zhège (fourth tone, falling) tí (second tone, rising) hěn (third tone, dipping) nán, (second tone, rising) qíshí (second tone, rising) hěn (third tone, dipping) jiǎndān. (third tone, dipping)···
Everyone assumed this question was hard — in fact it is easy.
Common mistakes
Not quite我以为这个电影很好看，你也去看吧。
Correct我觉得这个电影很好看，你也去看吧。
Recommending a film with 以为 tells your listener you were wrong about it. For an opinion you still hold, use 觉得; for a considered judgement, 认为.