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臆断 (yì duàn) — to assume (without evidence), to make a subjective judgment

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning to judge or decide without evidence — stronger and more literary than 推测 ("infer"), with the nuance of unfounded subjectivity. Most often used in negative contexts ("不能／不要臆断").

verb
to assume (without evidence)to make a subjective judgment

Examples

  • 臆断。
    Wǒ men bù néng píng gǎn jué yì duàn.
    We cannot assume based on feelings.
  • 臆断。
    Tā de jié lùn wán quán shì zhǔ guān yì duàn.
    His conclusion is entirely a subjective assumption.
  • ，臆断。
    Zài méi yǒu zhèng jù de qíng kuàng xià, bú yào qīng yì yì duàn.
    Without evidence, don't easily make assumptions.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

臆yìsubjective guess
断duànjudge

“臆” (subjective guess) and “断” (judge) combine to mean judging by guess.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
肉肉ròubody
Sound part声符shēngfú
意
意yì臆yì
Same sound today

臆 pairs 肉, showing a connection to the body, with 意, which gives the sound.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 斷; 断 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 斷 uses 𢇍 (to cut) and 斤 (axe) together.

Open 断 →
Appears in
Thinking & Cognition

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