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HSK 3

认为

to think; to believe; to hold the opinion

verbneutral
认
rèn4th tone
为
wéi2nd tone

HSK level

1
2
3
4
5
6
Pinyin
rènwéi
Part of speech
verb
Level
HSK 3
Strokes
8
Register
neutral

Stroke order for 认为

认为 is written with 8 strokes (认: 4, 为: 4). The animation replays automatically.

What does 认为 mean?

认为 (rènwéi) means 'to think / to believe / to hold the view that' — used to introduce an opinion or judgment.

The literal sense is 认 'recognize' + 为 'as / to be,' i.e. 'to recognize something as being a certain way.' It is more weighty and considered than 觉得 (juéde), which covers casual 'I feel / I think.'

Use 认为 when you are stating a position you actually hold, often in writing, news commentary, debate, or formal speech: 我认为这是对的 ('I believe this is right'). Use 觉得 for fleeting feelings or casual takes. 认为 is followed directly by a full clause — no 是 or 这 needed: 我认为他很聪明, not 我认为是他很聪明. Negation goes before 认为: 我不认为...

Note: Slightly more formal / considered than 觉得. Used in essays, news, opinions stated with conviction. 觉得 is the everyday spoken equivalent.

Character by character

认rènto recognize; to acknowledge (speech radical 讠)
+
为wéito be; to take as (literary 'as')
=
认为

Memory hook: 认 (recognize) + 为 (as) — to recognize something AS being something = to hold that view.

Example sentences

我认为这个主意很好。

Wǒ rènwéi zhège zhǔyi hěn hǎo.

I think this idea is great.

neutral

他认为我们应该早点出发。

Tā rènwéi wǒmen yīnggāi zǎo diǎn chūfā.

He thinks we should leave a bit earlier.

neutral

很多人认为学中文很难。

Hěn duō rén rènwéi xué Zhōngwén hěn nán.

Many people believe learning Chinese is hard.

neutral

我不认为这是他的错。

Wǒ bù rènwéi zhè shì tā de cuò.

I don't think this is his fault.

neutral

老师认为我的作文写得不错。

Lǎoshī rènwéi wǒ de zuòwén xiě de búcuò.

The teacher thinks my essay is well written.

neutral

Common phrases with 认为

我认为wǒ rènwéiI think / I believe
普遍认为pǔbiàn rènwéiit is generally believed
不认为bù rènwéito not think; to disagree
认为...是...rènwéi... shì...to consider... to be...

Synonyms

觉得juéde

觉得 is the casual, spoken 'I think / I feel.' 认为 is heavier and more considered. 我觉得这部电影不错 (casual: this movie's not bad) vs 我认为这部电影反映了社会问题 (considered: this movie reflects social issues). Beginners overuse 认为 in chitchat — use 觉得.

以为yǐwéi

以为 means 'to think (mistakenly)' — used when you assumed something that turned out to be wrong. 我以为今天是星期六 = 'I thought today was Saturday (but it isn't).' 认为 is a current, held opinion, not a mistaken assumption.

相信xiāngxìn

相信 is 'to believe' in the sense of trust or faith. 认为 is 'to hold the view that.' 我相信你 = I trust you; 我认为你是对的 = I think you're right.

Don't confuse 认为 with

以为yǐwéi

Looks similar but flips the meaning: 以为 is a MISTAKEN belief discovered to be wrong. 我以为他来了 = 'I thought he had come (but he didn't).' 我认为他会来 = 'I believe he'll come.'

认识rènshi

Both start with 认, but 认识 means 'to know / be acquainted with' (a person, a place, a character). 认为 is 'to hold an opinion.' Different verbs, different uses.

FAQ

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