臆测 (yì cè) — to conjecture, to surmise, to assume

Definition

A formal verb for guessing without evidence — a subjective, often unfounded surmise, stronger and more literary than the everyday 猜测. Implies the guess may be wrong or baseless.

verb
to conjectureto surmiseto assume

Examples

  • ，臆测。
    Zài méi yǒu chōng fèn zhèng jù shí, bú yào qīng yì yì cè jié guǒ.
    Don't easily conjecture the outcome without sufficient evidence.
  • 臆测，。
    Zhè xiē jié lùn zhǐ shì jī yú yì cè, quē fá shì shí yī jù.
    These conclusions are merely based on surmise and lack factual basis.
  • 臆测，。
    Wǒ men bù néng yì cè duì fāng de yì tú, bì xū gōu tōng qīng chǔ.
    We cannot assume the other party's intentions; we must communicate clearly.

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
测cèguess

臆 points to the subjective mind, while 测 means to guess, so the word describes conjecture without firm evidence.

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.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 測; 测 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
則
則zé測cè
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 測 combines 氵 (water) with 則 for the sound; it is explained as measuring the depth of water. The simplified 测 is a later shorthand.

Open 测 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.