Comparing "renwei" and "yiwei"
认为 (rènwéi) and 以为 (yǐwéi) are both verbs that mean "to think" in terms of "to consider" or "to deem" something to be true or false. Both are used in both informal and formal contexts and sometimes can be used interchangeably. However, only 认为 is often used to mean "in my opinion." Only 以为 is used to describe a situation in which you thought something to be true or correct, but in reality it wasn't.
| 认为 (rènwéi) | 以为 (yǐwéi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | to think | to think mistakenly |
| Part of Speech | verb | verb (mostly) |
| Formality | flexible | flexible |
Contents
Use 认为 for "to think (that)"
认为 is somewhat more formal than 觉得, but means the same thing.
- 我 认为 你 的 西班牙语 很 好。I think your Spanish is very good.
- 我 认为 这件 事情 你 应该 负责。I think this is something you should be responsible for.
- 很 多 人 认为 成功 就 是 有 很 多 钱。A lot of people think success is having a lot of money.
- 从 这个 角度 来说，我 认为 规定 很 重要。From that point of view, I think the regulations are important.
Use 认为 to say “in my opinion”
- 我 认为 中国 菜 很 好吃。I think Chinese food is good.
- 我 认为 他 不 是 一 个 好 的 总统。I don't think he's a good president.
- 我 认为 好 的 演讲 应该 是 让 人 感动 的。I think a good speech should move people.
- 我 认为 抽烟 是 一 个 坏 习惯，很 不 健康。I think smoking is a bad habit and very unhealthy.
Use 以为 to mean "mistakenly believe"
以为 is used to describe a situation in which you thought something was true or correct, but later found out that was not the case.
- 我 以为 今天 会 下雨，但是 没有 下。I thought it would rain today, but it didn't.
- 来 中国 以前，我 以为 中国 菜 很 难吃。Before I came to China, I thought Chinese food was't good.
- 他们 以为 你 是 美国人，原来 你 是 南非人。They thought you were American, but it turns out you are South African.
- 她 以为 今天 是 上午 十 点 上课，其实 是 下午 三 点 上课。She thought it was a 10am class today, but it's actually a 3pm class.
To say "to think" or "to consider" many times both 认为 and 以为 can be used interchangeably
There is some overlap between these two terms. In the following examples both 认为 and 以为 can be used.
- 我 以为 她 现在 过 得 很 好。I thought she was doing well now.
- 我 认为 她 下个 月 可以 回来。I think she can come back next month.
- 你 以为 我 忘 了，是 不 是？You think I've forgotten, don't you?
- 我 认为 这个 老师 很 不错。I thought the teacher was nice.
To keep things straight in your own head, it's not a bad idea to use 以为 ONLY for the "mistakenly believe" idea. You just need to be aware that 以为 is not exclusively for mistaken beliefs.
