估计

• Pinyin: gū jì
• Hanzi breakdown: 估 = to estimate/assess; 计 = to calculate

Meaning

To estimate; to reckon; estimation. Making an approximate judgment.

Used for making educated guesses about quantities, situations, or outcomes based on available information. Can be used as a verb or noun. Often implies uncertainty or approximation.

Examples

1. 我估计今天的会议要开到很晚。 I estimate today's meeting will go very late.
2. 根据初步估计，损失超过百万。 According to preliminary estimates, the losses exceed one million.
3. 他估计自己能在一小时内完成。 He estimated he could finish within an hour.

Usage Guide

Context: planning, analysis, everyday conversation

Tone: speculative

Do Say

• 你估计他什么时候到？(When do you estimate he'll arrive?)
• 费用估计要五千块。(The cost is estimated to be around five thousand yuan.)

Don't Say

• 我确定地估计 (估计 inherently implies uncertainty — don't use it with words expressing certainty)

Origin & History

Compound of 估 (to estimate, assess) + 计 (to calculate), meaning to calculate approximately.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal