(yǐ wéi) - to think (mistakenly), to assume in Mandarin
yǐwéiTraditional: 以為
HSK 3
#226 of 5,000 Core 1000
Translation
to think (mistakenly), to assume
Word origin
A compound of 以 (yǐ, 'to take as') and 为 (wéi, 'to be, to do'), giving 'to take to be, to assume'. The simplified 为 derives from an older form depicting a hand leading an elephant, hence 'to do, to make'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 以 (yǐ, 'to take as') + 为 (wéi, 'to be, to do')
Stroke order
以
为
Examples
。
I thought you had left.
？
You think I don't know?
。
He assumed this was correct.
。
I thought today was a holiday.
。
Do not assume I did not see.
以为 (yǐ wéi) means to think (mistakenly), to assume. It is used as a verb in everyday Mandarin speech.
Used in
Stories
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Go to my review queueThis word is part of lesson 5.