Comparing "renwei" and "yiwei"

认为 and 以为 both are 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 settings and sometimes can be used interchangeably. Yet, there are some differences between these words as only 认为 is often used to mean “in my opinion”. As well, only 以为 is used to describe a situation in which you think something to be true or correct, but in reality it's not.

	认为 (rènwéi)	以为 (yǐwéi)
Meaning	to think, to consider	to think, to consider
Part of Speech	verb	verb
Formality	flexible	flexible

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

To say “in my opinion” use 认为

Example sentences

• 我认为中国菜很好吃。

Only 以为 is used to describe a situation in which you think something to be true or correct, but in reality it's not.

Example sentences

In the following examples only 认为 can be used.

• 我以为你是美国人，原来你是加拿大人。
• 我以为你下午才过来，没想到你会这么早就到了。