估算

• Pinyin: gū suàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 估 = 人 (person) + 古 (ancient/enduring) — a person making an experienced valuation; 算 = 竹 (bamboo counting sticks) + 目 (eyes) + 廾 (two hands) — calculating with tools, hands, and eyes

Meaning

To estimate; to calculate approximately. To make a reasoned approximation of a quantity, cost, duration, or value based on available information rather than exact data.

估算 implies a rational, reasoned approximation — more systematic than guessing (猜测) but less precise than exact calculation (精算). Common in engineering, finance, project management, and scientific research. Often paired with 成本 (cost), 损失 (loss), 工程量 (workload), and 时间 (time). The result is understood to carry a margin of error.

Examples

1. 工程师对这座桥梁的修缮费用进行了初步估算，预计需要投入约三千万元。 Engineers made a preliminary estimate of the bridge's repair costs, projecting an investment of about 30 million yuan.
2. 经过仔细估算，他认为在目前的市场环境下，这笔投资的回收周期至少需要五年。 After careful estimates, he believed that in the current market environment, it would take at least five years to recoup the investment.
3. 灾后评估小组对受灾地区的经济损失进行了全面估算，结果令人震惊。 The post-disaster assessment team made a comprehensive estimate of the economic losses in the affected areas, and the results were shocking.

Usage Guide

Context: engineering, finance, project management, science, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 在提交项目申请前，团队对所需的人力资源和资金投入进行了详细估算。(Before submitting the project application, the team made detailed estimates of the required human resources and financial investment.)
• 专家估算，此次洪灾造成的直接经济损失超过十亿元。(Experts estimate that the direct economic losses caused by this flood exceed one billion yuan.)

Don't Say

• 将'估算'用于需要精确计算的场合 — 估算 implies approximation with a margin of error; when precise calculation is required use 精算 or 计算 instead

Origin & History

估 (to estimate; to assess value) + 算 (to calculate; to compute). Together: to calculate by estimation — a reasoned approximation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated speakers