以为

Meaning(verb)

to think (i.e. to take it to be true that ...) (Usually there is an implication that the notion is mistaken – except when expressing one's own current opinion.)

Examples

• 我以为你不来了。

  wǒ yǐ wéi nǐ bù lái le.

  I thought you weren't coming.

• 他以为今天是星期天。

  tā yǐ wéi jīn tiān shì xīng qī tiān.

  He thought today was Sunday.

• 我还以为他是老师呢。

  wǒ hái yǐ wéi tā shì lǎo shī ne.

  I thought he was a teacher.

Easily confused

• 认为 — 认为 = to hold an opinion; 以为 usually implies a mistaken belief.

Written with AI, waiting for a teacher's review.