yǐ
wéi
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.)
以为今天会下雨,所以带了雨伞。
I think it will rain today, so I brought an umbrella.
以为他会很快放弃,想不到结果他坚持到底。
I thought he would give up quickly, I didn't expect he would stick to it.
以为这次的考试成绩会很差,结果还不错。
I thought the test outcome would be poor this time, but the results were not bad.
我本来以为我的英语很好,但是到了美国以后,我发现我错了,我听不懂他们说的英语。
I originally thought my English was good, but after arriving in The States, I found out I was wrong. I don't understand their English.