Kilo Lingo

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

0/6

Pick the right one: 以为 or 认为.

  1. 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)

  2. 这个很好。 (I think this is good)

    wǒ ___ zhè ge hěn hǎo 。 (I think this is good)

  3. 你在家。 (I thought you were at home)

    wǒ ___ nǐ zài jiā 。 (I thought you were at home)

  4. 我们应该走。 (he thinks we should go)

    tā ___ wǒ men yīng gāi zǒu 。 (he thinks we should go)

  5. 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?)

  6. 很多人这样。 (many people think so)

    hěn duō rén ___ zhè yàng 。 (many people think so)