以为 yǐwéi think (mistakenly)
think (mistakenly); consider (that); believe
How to remember 以为: 以 to use + 为 for = think (mistakenly).
Characters
How it is used
- Marks a belief that turned out to be wrong - 我以为你不来了 (wǒ yǐwéi nǐ bù lái le) I thought you weren't coming (but you did).
- Contrast 觉得 (juéde) / 认为 (rènwéi), which state opinions you still hold; 以为 almost always implies 'but I was mistaken.'
- Very natural in the pattern 我还以为… (wǒ hái yǐwéi…) = 'and here I was thinking…'
Example sentences
- 我以为你在听。 Wǒ yǐwéi nǐ zài tīng.I thought you were listening.
- 我以为这是真的。 Wǒ yǐwéi zhèshì zhēnde.I thought it was true.
- 我以为你已经回家了。 Wǒ yǐwéi nǐ yǐjīng huíjiā le.I thought you had already gone home.