以为

yǐ wéi

HSK 2.0 Level 3 HSK 3.0 Level 3 Verb Very common

Definitions

1. 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.)

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 知道 zhī dào 知道 zhī dào to know; to become aware of 知道表示对事实的确知，与以为的错误主观判断相对。: to know; to become aware of

Related words

1 item

• 原来 yuán lái 原来 yuán lái original 常用于纠正之前的错误以为，引出事实。: original

Usage notes

Formality

以为在口语和书面语均可用，但暗示错误认识时带有自嘲或委婉纠正的语气，正式语体中仍可使用。

Example Sentences

2 shown

我 以为 今天是星期三，原来是星期四。

I thought today was Wednesday, but it turns out it's Thursday.

大家都 以为 他是疯子。

Everyone thought he was a madman.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 以为

• 不以为然 不以为然 bù yǐ wéi rán: not to accept as correct (idiom); to object
• 自以为是 自以为是 zì yǐ wéi shì: to believe oneself infallible (idiom)
• 不以为意 不以为意 bù yǐ wéi yì: not to mind
• 信以为真 信以为真 xìn yǐ wéi zhēn: to take sth to be true
• 引以为傲 引以为傲 yǐn yǐ wéi ào: to be intensely proud of sth (idiom)
• 引以为憾 引以为憾 yǐn yǐ wéi hàn: to consider sth regrettable (idiom)
• 引以为戒 引以为戒 yǐn yǐ wéi jiè: to take sth as a warning (idiom)
• 引以为荣 引以为荣 yǐn yǐ wéi róng: to regard it as an honor (idiom)
• 无以为报 无以为报 wú yǐ wéi bào: unable to return the favor
• 无以为生 无以为生 wú yǐ wéi shēng: no way to get by
• 习以为常 习以为常 xí yǐ wéi cháng: accustomed to
• 医之好治不病以为功 医之好治不病以为功 yī zhī hào zhì bù bìng yǐ wéi gōng: doctors like to treat those who are not sick so that they can get credit for the patient's \recovery\ (idiom)

Child Words of 以为

• 以 以 yǐ: to use
• 为 为 wéi: as (in the capacity of)
• 为 为 wèi: because of