査定

• Reading: さてい
• Romaji: satei
• Kanji breakdown: 査 (sa) — investigate, inspect, audit; 定 (tei) — determine, fix, settle
• Pronunciation: /sa.teː/

Meaning

Assessment; appraisal; formal evaluation of value, performance, or eligibility by an authority or expert.

A noun covering formal evaluations in business, government, and finance. Common uses include property appraisal (不動産査定), employee performance review (人事査定), insurance claim assessment, and government budget review. The key nuance is that 査定 implies an authoritative or official evaluation, not a casual estimate. The result of a 査定 typically carries weight in decisions about pay, value, or eligibility.

Examples

1. 中古車を売る前に、複数の業者に査定を依頼した。 Before selling my used car, I requested appraisals from several dealers.
2. 今年度の人事査定では、成果主義に基づいた評価が導入された。 This year's personnel evaluation introduced a performance-based assessment system.
3. 保険会社が損害の査定を行い、保険金の支払額が決定された。 The insurance company conducted a damage assessment, and the payout amount was determined.

Usage Guide

Context: HR, real estate, insurance, government, finance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 査 (sa, to investigate/inspect) and 定 (tei, to determine/fix). Together they mean to investigate and then determine a value or outcome — the core process of any formal appraisal.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Business/Professional