Overview
The Japanese verb '推測する' (suisoku suru) is a transitive verb that means 'to infer,' 'to deduce,' or 'to conclude from evidence and reasoning.' It is composed of two kanji: '推' (sui), meaning 'to infer,' 'to surmise,' or 'to conjecture,' and '測' (soku), meaning 'to measure,' 'to fathom,' or 'to conjecture.' The 'する' (suru) suffix makes it a する-verb, which is a common way to form verbs from nouns in Japanese.
'推測する' implies a process of mental deliberation where one uses available information, observations, and logical thought to arrive at a probable conclusion. It differs from simply 'guessing' (推量する - suryō suru or 当てる - ateru) in that '推測する' suggests a more reasoned and evidence-based approach, even if the conclusion is not 100% certain. While both '推測する' and '推量する' involve making an estimate, '推測する' often implies a more systematic and analytical process, whereas '推量する' can be more akin to a hunch or an educated guess without extensive analysis.
Consider the nuance with similar verbs:
- 推測する (suisoku suru): To infer, deduce, or conclude based on evidence and reasoning. (e.g., 彼の表情から、彼が怒っていると推測した. - Kare no hyōjō kara, kare ga okotte iru to suisoku shita. - I inferred from his expression that he was angry.)
- 推量する (suryō suru): To guess, surmise, or estimate, often without strong evidence. (e.g., 彼の年齢を推量してみた. - Kare no nenrei o suryō shite mita. - I tried to guess his age.)
- 想像する (sōzō suru): To imagine, to suppose, to picture in one's mind. This is more about creating a mental image or scenario. (e.g., 彼の未来を想像する. - Kare no mirai o sōzō suru. - I imagine his future.)
- 判断する (handan suru): To judge, to decide, to make a decision based on evaluation. This implies a more definitive conclusion or evaluation. (e.g., 状況を判断する. - Jōkyō o handan suru. - To judge the situation.)
'推測する' is frequently used in contexts where one is trying to understand underlying reasons, predict outcomes, or interpret ambiguous situations. For instance, a detective might '推測する' the motive of a crime, a scientist might '推測する' the cause of a phenomenon, or a person might '推測する' what another person is thinking based on their behavior. It emphasizes the active mental work involved in reaching a conclusion that isn't explicitly stated or immediately obvious.
Grammatically, '推測する' functions as a regular する-verb. It can be used in various tenses and forms, such as '推測します' (polite present/future), '推測した' (past), '推測している' (present continuous), and so on. It often takes the particle 'を' (o) for the object of inference, or 'と' (to) when expressing 'that' something is inferred.
Exemplos
刑事は状況から犯人を推測した。
Crime/InvestigationThe detective inferred the culprit from the circumstances.
彼の沈黙から、私は彼が同意しないだろうと推測した。
Interpersonal CommunicationFrom his silence, I deduced that he wouldn't agree.
過去のデータに基づいて、将来の市場動向を推測する。
Business/EconomicsWe infer future market trends based on past data.
科学者たちは、化石から古代生物の生態を推測する。
Science/PaleontologyScientists deduce the ecology of ancient organisms from fossils.
彼女の表情から、何か良いことがあったのだろうと推測できた。
Daily Life/ObservationFrom her expression, I could infer that something good had happened.
Colocações comuns
Frequentemente confundido com
憶測する (okusoku suru) implies guessing or speculating without concrete evidence, often based on rumors or personal feelings. 推測する (suisoku suru) implies deducing or inferring based on available evidence and logical reasoning.
推定する (suitei suru) is often used in a more formal or scientific context to estimate or approximate a value, quantity, or outcome based on data or established methods. While similar to 推測する, 推定する emphasizes a more calculated and data-driven approach to estimation.
察する (sassuru) means to infer, gather, or sense someone's feelings, thoughts, or intentions, often without explicit communication. It focuses on intuitive understanding of human emotions or situations rather than logical deduction from evidence.
Padrões gramaticais
Como usar
Notas de uso
'推測する' is a versatile verb used in various contexts. It can be applied to both everyday situations, like inferring someone's mood from their expression, and more formal contexts, such as deducing a scientific principle from experimental data. It's often followed by a clause indicating what is being inferred, frequently using particles like 'と' (to) or 'だろう' (darou) / 'でしょう' (deshou) to express probability or conjecture. For example, '彼の表情から、彼が怒っていると推測する' (Kare no hyoujou kara, kare ga okotte iru to suisoku suru - I infer from his expression that he is angry). It can also be used in the passive voice, '~と推測される' (to suisoku sareru - it is inferred that...), especially in academic writing or reports. While '推測する' implies a degree of logical reasoning, it doesn't necessarily guarantee the correctness of the inference, leaving room for error or uncertainty.
Erros comuns
A common mistake is confusing '推測する' (suisoku suru) with '予測する' (yosoku suru), which means 'to predict' or 'to forecast'. While both involve making an informed guess, '推測する' is more about inferring from existing evidence or data, often about something in the present or past, whereas '予測する' is specifically about foretelling future events. Another pitfall is using it in situations where a firmer, more certain conclusion is reached, in which case '結論する' (ketsuron suru - to conclude) or '判断する' (handan suru - to judge/decide) might be more appropriate. Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the nuance of when to use the 'suru' verb form directly versus using it with a particle like 'について推測する' (ni tsuite suisoku suru - to infer about). Pay attention to the context to ensure the correct usage.
Dicas
Usage Contexts
'推測する' (suisoku suru) is commonly used when making an educated guess or drawing a conclusion based on available information, but without absolute certainty. It implies a degree of logical reasoning rather than pure speculation. For example, you might '推測する' someone's feelings from their expression, or '推測する' the cause of a problem based on symptoms.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
While '推測する' means 'to infer' or 'to deduce,' it's important to distinguish it from words like '想像する' (souzou suru - to imagine) or '憶測する' (okusoku suru - to speculate without strong evidence). '推測する' suggests a more grounded, logical process. A common mistake is to use it when the conclusion is purely hypothetical or wishful thinking, rather than data-driven.
Related Expressions
Other related expressions include '察する' (sassuru - to surmise, to gather from context), '推定する' (suitei suru - to estimate, often with numbers or quantities), and '類推する' (ruisui suru - to reason by analogy). Each has slightly different connotations regarding the basis and certainty of the conclusion. For instance, '推定する' is often used in scientific or statistical contexts.
Origem da palavra
200+ WORDS origin history.
Contexto cultural
In Japanese culture, '推測する' (suisoku suru) generally carries a similar connotation to its English equivalent, 'to infer' or 'to deduce.' There isn't a strong cultural nuance that significantly differentiates its usage. However, in professional or academic settings, particularly when discussing research or analysis, there's an emphasis on sound reasoning and evidence when performing '推測する.' Making inferences without sufficient backing might be viewed as less credible. In social interactions, while directness is often appreciated, sometimes people might use '推測する' in a more indirect way to imply something without explicitly stating it, expecting the listener to pick up on the subtle cues. This can be a form of polite communication to avoid confrontation or direct disagreement.
Dica de memorização
Visualize a detective piecing together clues to form a conclusion. '推測する' (suisoku suru) sounds a bit like 'suit to soak' – imagine soaking up all the information to deduce the answer.
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntas'推測する' (suisoku suru) is a Japanese verb that means 'to infer,' 'to deduce,' or 'to conclude from evidence and reasoning.' It implies forming an opinion or judgment based on available information, even if it's not directly stated or fully proven. It's about making an educated guess or a logical assumption.
You can use '推測する' in various contexts. For example: * 「彼の表情から、彼が喜んでいると推測した。」 (Kare no hyōjō kara, kare ga yorokonde iru to suisoku shita.) - "From his expression, I inferred that he was happy." * 「このデータから、未来のトレンドを推測することができます。」 (Kono dēta kara, mirai no torendo o suisoku suru koto ga dekimasu.) - "From this data, we can deduce future trends." * 「証拠が少ないため、犯人を推測するのは難しい。」 (Shōko ga sukunai tame, hannin o suisoku suru no wa muzukashii.) - "Because there is little evidence, it is difficult to infer who the culprit is."
Yes, there are some similar words with slight nuances: * **推定する (suitei suru):** Also means 'to estimate' or 'to presume,' often with a more quantitative or statistical connotation, implying a calculated guess. * **憶測する (okusoku suru):** Means 'to speculate' or 'to guess,' often implying a guess without much concrete evidence, sometimes bordering on conjecture. * **想像する (sōzō suru):** Means 'to imagine' or 'to suppose,' implying a broader act of forming mental images or ideas, which can sometimes involve inference but isn't its primary meaning. '推測する' generally carries a sense of logical reasoning based on observed facts or information.
'推測する' is a regular 'suru' verb, so its conjugations follow a standard pattern: * **Present (dictionary form):** 推測する (suisoku suru) - to infer * **Present polite:** 推測します (suisoku shimasu) - infer (polite) * **Past (plain):** 推測した (suisoku shita) - inferred * **Past polite:** 推測しました (suisoku shimashita) - inferred (polite) * **Negative (plain):** 推測しない (suisoku shinai) - do not infer * **Negative polite:** 推測しません (suisoku shimasen) - do not infer (polite) * **Te-form:** 推測して (suisoku shite) - inferring, and... These are some of the most common conjugations you'll encounter.
Teste-se
警察は容疑者の犯行の動機を___。
この状況から、彼が何を考えているのかを___のは難しい。
データが少ないため、正確な結果を___ことは困難だ。
Pontuação: /3
Usage Contexts
'推測する' (suisoku suru) is commonly used when making an educated guess or drawing a conclusion based on available information, but without absolute certainty. It implies a degree of logical reasoning rather than pure speculation. For example, you might '推測する' someone's feelings from their expression, or '推測する' the cause of a problem based on symptoms.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
While '推測する' means 'to infer' or 'to deduce,' it's important to distinguish it from words like '想像する' (souzou suru - to imagine) or '憶測する' (okusoku suru - to speculate without strong evidence). '推測する' suggests a more grounded, logical process. A common mistake is to use it when the conclusion is purely hypothetical or wishful thinking, rather than data-driven.
Related Expressions
Other related expressions include '察する' (sassuru - to surmise, to gather from context), '推定する' (suitei suru - to estimate, often with numbers or quantities), and '類推する' (ruisui suru - to reason by analogy). Each has slightly different connotations regarding the basis and certainty of the conclusion. For instance, '推定する' is often used in scientific or statistical contexts.
Exemplos
5 de 5刑事は状況から犯人を推測した。
The detective inferred the culprit from the circumstances.
彼の沈黙から、私は彼が同意しないだろうと推測した。
From his silence, I deduced that he wouldn't agree.
過去のデータに基づいて、将来の市場動向を推測する。
We infer future market trends based on past data.
科学者たちは、化石から古代生物の生態を推測する。
Scientists deduce the ecology of ancient organisms from fossils.
彼女の表情から、何か良いことがあったのだろうと推測できた。
From her expression, I could infer that something good had happened.
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B2Absolute; not qualified or diminished in any way; total.
絶対的に
B1In a complete, unconditional, or conclusive manner; absolutely.
抽象的だ
B1Abstract; existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
抽象
B2Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence. It refers to generalizing or extracting the essence of something away from specific details.
抽象的に
B1In an abstract or theoretical manner.
学術的な
B1Academic, scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学術的だ
B1Academic; relating to education and scholarship.
学術的
B2Academic; relating to education and scholarship.
学術
B1Academia; scholarship; relating to scholarly pursuits.
学力
B1Academic ability; a person's level of knowledge and skill in academic subjects.