把...当作 (bǎ...dàngzuò) — use '当成' when emphasizing a subjective interpretation, while '当作' is more neutral in tone.

Imagine a person standing in front of a mirror (the character '当' resembles a mirror) and thinking about how they see themselves (the character '成' resembling becoming). They are 'considering' how they appear, thus associating their reflection with their identity.

Be mindful of the context in which you use '当成'; it can sound informal in certain situations. Common collocations include '当成朋友' (consider as a friend) and '当成敌人' (consider as an enemy). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where more precise terms may be required.

While '当成' is not specifically categorized under HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK 3 and above, as it connects to concepts of perception and opinion, which are common in conversational Chinese. Focus on practicing it within sentences to solidify understanding.

In Chinese culture, the way one is perceived by others can significantly affect social interactions and relationships. '当成' reflects the importance of perception in forming friendships or rivalries, which can be quite nuanced in Chinese society.

Learners often confuse '当成' with '当作', which has a slightly different meaning ('to treat as'). For example, saying '我当成他是朋友' (I consider him as a friend) is correct, but saying '我当作他是朋友' may sound awkward.