Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| veronderstellen | /vərˌɔn.dərˈstɛ.lə(n)/ |
| gissen |
The Dutch language distinguishes between different types of guessing. You use veronderstellen when you are making an assumption or a logical supposition based on certain premises. You use gissen when you are making a guess based on intuition or when you lack sufficient information.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two main verbs depends on your reasoning. Use veronderstellen to mean 'to assume/suppose' based on logic. Use gissen to mean 'to guess' based on intuition or a lack of information. Additionally, the related noun gok, gissing and veronderstelling can refer to a prediction about the outcome of something.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal situations, you can use gokken to mean 'to guess', which often implies a bit of a gamble or a shot in the dark. In casual conversation, the diminutive form een gokje is frequently used to mean 'a quick guess'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form of veronderstellen is veronderstelde, as seen in the phrase de veronderstelde waarheid (the assumed truth).
How do you pronounce it?
/vərˌɔn.dərˈstɛ.lə(n)/. The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- The Dutch word veronderstellen is a 'calque' of the Latin word suppōnō. It was essentially translated word-for-word from Latin into Dutch centuries ago.
- While veronderstellen means 'to assume' in a logical sense, the root onderstellen can also mean 'to falsely attribute' something to someone in a legal or accusatory context.
- The word gokken is used both for 'guessing' and for 'gambling' in a casino. Using this word can imply that your guess is a high-stakes risk rather than a simple thought.
Examples in context
- Ik kan alleen maar raden wat er is gebeurd.I can only guess what happened.
- Ik kan slechts gissen waarom hij zo boos is.I can only guess why he is so angry.
- Ik denk dat we moeten wachten.I guess we have to wait.
- Ik vermoed dat ze niet zal komen.I guess she won't come.
- We kunnen niet veronderstellen dat het waar is.We cannot assume that it is true.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “guess” translations and entries veronderstellen, gissen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gissen, veronderstellen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
