Mandarin · Chapter 19 · Lesson 9 · Common mistake
以为 or 认为?
One of these admits you were mistaken. Choose carefully.
The rule
认为 (ren4-wei2) is to think or hold an opinion, neutrally. 以为 (yi3-wei2) means you thought something AND YOU WERE WRONG. Using 以为 about a belief you still hold tells your listener you have just been corrected.
Pick the right one
0/6Pick the right one: 以为 or 认为.
我他是老师。 (I thought he was a teacher - he is not)
wǒ ___ tā shì lǎo shī 。 (I thought he was a teacher - he is not)
我这个很好。 (I think this is good)
wǒ ___ zhè ge hěn hǎo 。 (I think this is good)
我你在家。 (I thought you were at home)
wǒ ___ nǐ zài jiā 。 (I thought you were at home)
他我们应该走。 (he thinks we should go)
tā ___ wǒ men yīng gāi zǒu 。 (he thinks we should go)
你我不知道吗? (did you think I did not know?)
nǐ ___ wǒ bù zhī dào ma ? (did you think I did not know?)
很多人这样。 (many people think so)
hěn duō rén ___ zhè yàng 。 (many people think so)