Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 推測する | suisoku suru | |
| 察する | sassuru | [sa̠sːɨɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 憶測する | okusoku suru |
The term used for guessing depends heavily on whether you are making a logical inference, sensing an emotional state or speculating without evidence. 推測する is used for reaching an unconfirmed conclusion, often through logic or available information. The noun form, 推測, refers to the inference or conjecture itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 推測 is composed of the characters 推, meaning to push or infer and 測, meaning to measure or estimate.
Which one should you use?
There are distinct nuances between the different ways to express guessing. 推測する refers to a logical or data-based guess. In contrast, 察する is used when you guess or sense someone's unspoken feelings, needs or a subtle social situation. 憶測する carries a more negative connotation, often implying that the guess is mere speculation or conjecture that lacks a factual basis.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal writing or news reports, the passive form 推測される is frequently used to express that something 'is guessed', 'is inferred' or 'is estimated'.
How do you pronounce it?
suisoku suru
Did you know?
- While English uses 'guess' for games, Japanese uses 当てる when trying to guess the correct answer in a quiz or lottery.
- The phrase 察する is central to the cultural concept of 'reading the air', where guessing someone's needs without being told is considered a vital social skill.
- The character 察 in 察する is also the same character used in the word for 'detective' or 'investigation', implying that guessing a feeling requires a certain level of keen observation.
Examples in context
- 彼がどこへ行ったのかは、推測するしかない。We can only guess where he went.
- 来週の天気を予想するのは難しいです。It is difficult to guess the weather for next week.
- 明日の天気、わかんないけど、雨かもしれない。I don't know about tomorrow's weather, but it might rain.
- どのピザが一番好きか、推測してみて。Guess which pizza I like the most.
- 犯人が誰かを推測する。hannin ga dare ka o suisoku suru.To guess who the culprit is.
- 状況から原因を推測する。joukyou kara gen'in o suisoku suru.To guess the cause from the situation.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are looking at a mysterious object.
- 健太 Kentaこれは何だと思いますか？Kore wa nan da to omoimasu ka?What do you think this is?
- 陽葵 Himariうーん、正体を変えられないので推測するしかありませんね。Uun, shoutai o kaerarenai node suisoku suru shika arimasen ne.Hmm, since we can't change its identity, we can only guess.
- 健太 Kentaきっと古い道具だと思います。Kitto furui dougu da to omoimasu.I think it's probably an old tool.
- 陽葵 Himari私もそう推測します。Watashi mo sou suisoku shimasu.I guess so too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “guess” translations and entries 察する, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
