猜测

• Pinyin: cāi cè
• Hanzi breakdown: 猜 (guess) + 测 (measure, predict)

Meaning

To guess; to speculate; to conjecture. More formal than 猜.

Used in more serious contexts than 猜, often for speculation about events, motives, or outcomes. Common in news reporting, analysis, and academic discussion.

Examples

1. 关于这次人事变动，外界有很多猜测。 There has been a lot of speculation from outside about this personnel change.
2. 警方猜测凶手可能认识受害者。 The police speculate that the killer may have known the victim.
3. 我们只能猜测他为什么突然辞职。 We can only speculate about why he suddenly resigned.

Usage Guide

Context: news, analysis, investigation

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 这只是猜测，还没有证据。(This is just speculation — there's no evidence yet.)
• 有人猜测他会参选。(Some people speculate that he will run for election.)

Don't Say

• 在休闲游戏中用'猜测'——太正式了，用'猜'更自然 (Don't use 猜测 in casual games — it's too formal; use 猜 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 猜 (guess) + 测 (measure/predict), forming a more formal term for speculation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal