预计

• Pinyin: yù jì
• Hanzi breakdown: 预 = 予 (give) + 页 (page/head), meaning 'in advance'; 计 = 讠(言) (speech) + 十 (ten), meaning 'to calculate'

Meaning

To estimate; to expect; to predict. Making a calculation or judgment about what will happen in the future.

More formal than 估计 (to guess/estimate). Often used in news reports, business contexts, and official statements. Implies a more informed or data-based prediction than a simple guess.

Examples

1. 预计明天的气温会达到三十五度。 The temperature is expected to reach thirty-five degrees tomorrow.
2. 这个项目预计下个月完成。 This project is expected to be completed next month.
3. 专家预计今年的经济会继续增长。 Experts predict that the economy will continue to grow this year.

Usage Guide

Context: news, business, planning

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 预计这次会议要开两个小时。(It is expected that this meeting will last two hours.)
• 我们预计销售额会增加百分之二十。(We estimate sales will increase by twenty percent.)

Don't Say

• 我预计他喜欢我。(Don't use 预计 for personal feelings — use 觉得 or 猜 instead; 预计 is for objective predictions)

Origin & History

预 (in advance, beforehand) + 计 (to plan, to calculate). Together: to calculate or plan in advance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal