予想

• Reading: よそう
• Romaji: yosou
• Kanji breakdown: 予 (yo) — advance, beforehand; 想 (sou) — think, imagine
• Pronunciation: /jo.soː/

Meaning

Expectation; anticipation; prediction. An estimate of what will happen based on available information.

A noun and suru verb (予想する, to predict/expect). Used widely for forecasts and guesses: 天気予想 (weather forecast — though 天気予報 is more standard), 予想外 (unexpected), 予想通り (as expected), 予想を上回る (to exceed expectations). Less scientific than 予測 (forecast based on data) and less formal than 予報 (official forecast).

Examples

1. 試合の結果は予想通りだった。 The result of the game was just as expected.
2. 予想外の質問をされて慌ててしまった。 I got flustered when I was asked an unexpected question.
3. 来年の売上を予想するのは難しい。 It's hard to predict next year's sales.

Usage Guide

Context: news, sports, business

Tone: analytical

Origin & History

Compound of 予 (yo, in advance/beforehand) and 想 (sou, to think/imagine). Together, 'thinking in advance' — forming a mental picture of what is likely to happen.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal