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 be used in 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
认为 means "to think"
认为 is somewhat more formal than 觉得, but means the same thing.
- 我一直认为我是幸运的。
- 他认为这个会开得很好。
- 我认为你的西班牙很好。
- 老板认为我的看法很重要。
- 我认为这件事情你做的不对。
- 我认为这件事情你应该负责。
- 很多人认为成功就是有很多钱。
- 从这个角度来说，我认为规定很重要。
以为 can mean "mistakenly believed"
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.
Example sentences
In the following examples only 认为 can be used.
- 我以为今天会下雨，但是没有下。
- 来中国以前，我以为中国菜很难吃。
- 我以为你是美国人，原来你是加拿大人。
- 我以为今天是星期六，原来今天是星期五。
- 我以为这杯水是热的，其实这杯水是冷的。
- 我以为你下午才过来，没想到你会这么早就到了。
- 我以为今天是上午十点上课，其实是下午三点上课。
To say "to think" or "to consider" many times both 认为 and 以为 can be used interchangeably
Common Phrases
In the following examples both 认为 and 以为 can be used.
- 我～
- 你～
- ～很好
- ～很不错
- ～可以
Example sentences
- 我以为她很高兴。
- 我认为她下个月回来。
- 我认为你今天不来开会了。
- 我以为你喜欢喝苦的咖啡。
To say “in my opinion” use 认为
Example sentences
- 我认为中国菜很好吃。
- 我认为他不是一个好的总统。
- 你认为经验和能力哪个重要？
- 我认为好的演讲应该是让人感动的。
- 我认为抽烟是一个坏习惯，很不健康。
- 你认为法国队的优势和劣势分别是什么？
Websites
“以为”和“认为” https://zhidao.baidu.com/question/653992511686170765.html
