Explanation at your level:
You use 추측하다 when you don't know the answer, but you want to try. For example, if you see a closed box, you might say, 'I guess there is a toy inside.' You are not sure, but you are thinking about it!
When you see clues, you use this word. If your friend is late, you might say, 'I guess she is stuck in traffic.' You are using what you know to make a guess. It is a very helpful word for talking about things that are not 100% certain.
At this level, you use 추측하다 to discuss possibilities. It is common in phrases like 'It is safe to guess that...' or 'Based on the facts, I would guess...' It helps you sound more natural when you are explaining your opinion on a situation.
You can use this word to distinguish between facts and theories. It is perfect for professional contexts where you need to offer an opinion without claiming it as absolute truth. 'The data allows us to speculate' is a great way to use it in a report.
In advanced discourse, 추측하다 acts as a tool for nuance. You might use it to hedge your claims in academic writing, showing that you are aware of the limitations of your evidence. It demonstrates critical thinking by acknowledging that your conclusion is a logical inference rather than a proven fact.
At the mastery level, you understand the subtle difference between 추측하다 (logical inference) and 짐작하다 (intuitive estimation). You use it in complex arguments to frame hypotheses, analyze historical trends, or discuss probabilistic outcomes in literature. It is the hallmark of a speaker who can navigate ambiguity with precision.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to form a guess.
- Used when evidence is missing.
- Common in daily and formal speech.
- Hanja origin: push and measure.
At its core, 추측하다 is all about making an educated guess. When we don't have all the pieces of a puzzle, our brain naturally tries to fill in the gaps, and that process is exactly what this word describes.
You use this word when you are observing clues—like seeing dark clouds and assuming it will rain—even though you haven't seen a single drop yet. It is a very common verb in both daily conversation and formal writing because life is full of uncertainties!
The word 추측 (推測) is a Sino-Korean word. It is composed of two Hanja characters: 推 (push/infer) and 測 (measure/survey).
Historically, this implies 'pushing' your thoughts forward to 'measure' a situation. It reflects an ancient way of thinking where one uses existing knowledge to 'survey' the unknown. It has been a staple in the Korean language for centuries, bridging the gap between philosophical inquiry and everyday speech.
You will often see this word paired with phrases like 'based on' or 'reason to believe.' It is versatile and works in almost any register.
In casual settings, you might say, 'I can only guess (추측할 뿐이야).' In business or academic reports, it sounds more professional to say, 'We hypothesize (추측됩니다).' It is a neutral, highly useful term for expressing uncertainty without sounding overly vague.
1. 추측에 불과하다: It is merely a guess. (Used when dismissing a rumor).
2. 추측이 빗나가다: The guess was wrong. (Used when your prediction fails).
3. 근거 없는 추측: Baseless speculation. (Used to warn against gossip).
4. 추측을 뒷받침하다: To support a theory. (Used in formal analysis).
5. 추측이 난무하다: Rumors are flying everywhere. (Used when many people are guessing wildly).
This is a regular verb. It conjugates easily by dropping the '다' and adding endings like -하다, -했다, or -합니다.
Pronunciation tip: Focus on the 'chu-cheuk' sound. The 'ch' is crisp, and the 'cheuk' has a slightly guttural ending. It rhymes loosely with words like 'deck' in English cadence, though the vowel sounds are distinctively Korean.
Fun Fact
It combines physical movement with mental calculation.
Pronunciation Guide
Hard ch sound, followed by a short euk.
Similar to UK, crisp articulation.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'ch' as 'sh'
- Dropping the final 'k'
- Misplacing the pitch
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Simple to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
-하다 Verb
공부하다
-라고
말하다
Noun + 을
밥을 먹다
Examples by Level
무엇이 있는지 추측해 보세요.
Guess what is inside.
Imperative form.
비가 올 것 같아요.
그가 어디에 있는지 몰라요.
이것이 무엇일까요?
정답을 추측해 봐요.
그녀는 집에 있을 거예요.
시간을 추측해 보세요.
어려운 문제예요.
상황을 추측하기 어렵네요.
범인을 추측해 봅시다.
그의 의도를 추측할 수 있어요.
날씨를 추측해 볼까요?
결과를 추측하기 힘듭니다.
이유를 추측해 보세요.
그녀의 마음을 추측해요.
시간이 얼마나 걸릴지 추측해요.
증거 없이 추측하지 마세요.
상황을 미루어 추측해 봅니다.
그의 행동을 추측할 수밖에 없어요.
결과를 추측하는 것은 위험합니다.
데이터를 바탕으로 추측했어요.
그녀가 왜 화났는지 추측해 봐요.
추측이 맞기를 바랍니다.
전문가들은 원인을 추측합니다.
근거 없는 추측은 삼가주십시오.
그의 동기를 추측하는 것은 무의미합니다.
추측이 사실로 드러났습니다.
상황을 종합해 추측해 보건대...
그는 추측에 의존하고 있습니다.
추측을 뒷받침할 자료가 부족해요.
섣부른 추측은 오해를 낳습니다.
그것은 단순한 추측에 불과합니다.
그 현상을 추측하는 것은 과학적이지 않습니다.
분석을 통해 결과를 추측해 낼 수 있습니다.
그의 발언은 추측을 전제로 합니다.
상황을 추측하기에 정보가 너무 부족합니다.
추측의 영역을 넘어선 사실입니다.
그는 추측을 확신으로 바꾸려 합니다.
다양한 가능성을 추측해 보아야 합니다.
추측을 배제하고 사실만 말하세요.
그의 이론은 정교한 추측에 기반하고 있습니다.
역사적 정황을 추측하는 것은 학자의 몫입니다.
추측이 난무하는 가운데 진실은 가려졌습니다.
그의 추측은 예리한 통찰에서 비롯되었습니다.
추측을 명제로 삼는 것은 위험한 논리입니다.
그는 추측을 통해 미래를 예견하려 했습니다.
본질을 추측하기란 매우 어려운 일입니다.
추측과 확신 사이의 경계가 모호합니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"추측에 불과하다"
Just a guess
그의 말은 추측에 불과하다.
neutral"추측이 빗나가다"
The guess was wrong
내 추측이 빗나갔다.
neutral"근거 없는 추측"
Baseless speculation
근거 없는 추측을 퍼뜨리지 마.
formal"추측이 난무하다"
Rumors are everywhere
사건 이후 추측이 난무했다.
literary"추측을 거듭하다"
To keep guessing
그들은 추측을 거듭하고 있다.
neutral"추측이 앞서다"
Guessing before knowing facts
사실보다 추측이 앞서고 있다.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar meaning
Intuition vs Logic
I guessed (짐작) his feelings.
Both involve future
Forecast vs Guess
Weather forecast (예측).
Formal usage
Estimation vs Guess
Estimated cost (추정).
Hypothesis
Assumption for argument
Assume (가정) that...
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + 추측하다
나는 결과를 추측했다.
Subject + -라고 + 추측하다
그는 비가 올 거라고 추측했다.
Subject + 근거를 바탕으로 + 추측하다
데이터를 바탕으로 추측했다.
Subject + 상황을 + 추측하다
그는 상황을 추측했다.
Subject + -을 + 추측할 수 있다
결과를 추측할 수 있다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
추측하다 implies uncertainty, not knowledge.
예측 is for forecasting.
추정 is better for statistical estimation.
추측하다 is the verb, 추측 is the noun.
Always link to a basis (근거).
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a puzzle piece.
Daily use
Use it when unsure.
Politeness
Don't guess someone's age!
Verb conjugation
It's always -하다.
Clear ch
Smile when saying ch.
Don't say 'I know' when guessing
Be clear.
Hanja
推 (push) + 測 (measure).
Flashcards
Use with context.
Formal vs Casual
Use 짐작 in casual talk.
Sentence structure
Subject + Object + Verb.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine 'choo-choo' train guessing the path.
Visual Association
A detective with a magnifying glass.
Word Web
Challenge
Guess the weather tomorrow.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Push and measure
Cultural Context
Avoid using in serious situations where accuracy is required.
Direct equivalent to 'guess' or 'speculate'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 결과를 추측하다
- 원인을 추측하다
- 상황을 추측하다
At school
- 정답을 추측하다
- 내용을 추측하다
- 의도를 추측하다
Reading a book
- 결말을 추측하다
- 범인을 추측하다
- 다음 내용을 추측하다
Daily life
- 시간을 추측하다
- 마음을 추측하다
- 이유를 추측하다
Conversation Starters
"다음 내용을 어떻게 추측하세요?"
"그의 행동을 어떻게 추측할 수 있을까요?"
"왜 그런 일이 일어났는지 추측해 볼까요?"
"결과를 추측하는 것이 가능할까요?"
"당신의 추측은 무엇인가요?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you guessed something correctly.
Why is it dangerous to guess without evidence?
Describe a mystery and your guess for the solution.
How do you feel when your guess is wrong?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is neutral.
No, only for guesses.
Like a regular -하다 verb.
Yes, 예측 is for future predictions.
Yes, it is common.
추측.
No.
It implies a lack of firm evidence.
Test Yourself
그가 어디 있는지 ___해 보세요.
Need the verb form.
What does 추측하다 mean?
It means to guess.
추측하다 means you are 100% sure.
It implies uncertainty.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms.
Subject-Object-Verb.
Score: /5
Summary
추측하다 is your go-to verb for making an educated guess when you don't have all the facts!
- Means to form a guess.
- Used when evidence is missing.
- Common in daily and formal speech.
- Hanja origin: push and measure.
Memory Palace
Visualize a puzzle piece.
Daily use
Use it when unsure.
Politeness
Don't guess someone's age!
Verb conjugation
It's always -하다.
Example
정확한 정보를 모르면 추측할 수밖에 없다.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
More academic words
입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
