Giving opinions: 觉得, 认为, 看来, 在我看来, 据说
Say what you think and where it comes from: 我觉得 (I feel), 我认为 (I believe), 看来 (it seems), 对我来说 (for me), 据说 and 听说 (I hear).
Part of the free B1 Chinese course (about HSK 4). Examples are in Simplified characters, with pinyin only for some new or hard words; press the speaker to hear one with your device's Chinese voice.
I think: 觉得 or 认为?
Both translate as "think", but they aren't the same.
| Word | Feel | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 觉得 (juéde) | personal impression; everyday speech; also physical feelings | 我觉得有点儿冷。I feel a bit cold. |
| 认为 (rènwéi) | a considered judgement; more formal; never physical feelings | 我认为这个办法可行。I believe this approach is workable. |
| 以为 (yǐwéi) | thought (but was wrong) | 我以为你走了。I thought you'd left. |
- 我觉得这家饭馆的菜有点儿咸。I find the food in this restaurant a bit salty.
- 我认为这个办法是可行的。I believe this approach is workable.
"I don't think he'll come" is most naturally 我觉得他不会来: Chinese usually puts the 不 on the second verb.
Seeming, and points of view
- 看来 (kànlái) = "it seems, apparently", judging from what you can see. It usually starts the sentence.
- 看起来 (kàn qǐlai) = "looks", about appearance: 他看起来很累.
- 对我来说 = "for me, as far as I'm concerned".
- 在我看来 = "in my view", a little more formal.
- 看来今天他不会来了。It looks like he's not coming today.
- 对我来说，汉字比语法难。For me, characters are harder than grammar.
- 在我看来，健康比钱重要。In my view, health matters more than money.
Hearsay: 据说 and 听说
- 听说 (tīngshuō) = "I've heard". It can take a person: 我听说… or 听小王说… (I heard from Xiao Wang).
- 据说 (jùshuō) = "it is said, reportedly", with no source named. It never takes 我 in front.
- 据说这座桥有五百年的历史。This bridge is said to be five hundred years old.
- 我听说小王换工作了。I heard Xiao Wang changed jobs.
Common mistakes
我认为很冷。(meaning "I feel cold") → 我觉得很冷。 认为 is for opinions, not sensations.我据说他要结婚了。→ 据说他要结婚了。 or 我听说他要结婚了。 据说 takes no subject.我以为他是对的。(meaning "I believe he's right") → 我认为他是对的。 In everyday Mandarin 以为 suggests you were wrong. (Formal writing sometimes uses 以为 for "consider", but don't copy that in speech.)看来他很高。(meaning "he looks tall") → 他看起来很高。 Use 看起来 for appearance; 看来 draws a conclusion from evidence.
Practice
- 我_____有点儿冷，把窗户关上吧。Options: 觉得 · 认为 · 据说
Show the answer
觉得 — Physical feelings take 觉得, never 认为.
- 专家_____，这个问题需要尽快解决。Options: 认为 · 听说 · 据说
Show the answer
认为 — 认为 = to believe, hold the view. 据说 takes no subject; 听说 = have heard.
- 地上都是湿的，_____昨天晚上下雨了。Options: 看来 · 认为 · 对我来说
Show the answer
看来 — 看来 = judging from what we can see.
- _____我来说，周末最重要的是睡觉。
Show the answer
对 — 对我来说 = for me.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions you can answer in characters or pinyin. It then comes back for review on later days, until you've answered it correctly on three separate days.