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预测 (yù cè) — to forecast, to predict

Definition

预测 is the general verb for making a prediction or forecast, often about future trends (climate, markets, results). It is broader than 预报, which is specifically for weather/news forecasts.

verb
to forecastto predict

Examples

  • 预测。
    Kē xué jiā yù cè wèi lái jǐ shí nián qì wēn huì jì xù shàng shēng.
    Scientists predict that temperatures will continue to rise in the coming decades.
  • 预测。
    Tā yù cè zhè cì kǎo shì huì hěn nán.
    He predicted that this exam would be very difficult.
  • 预测。
    Méi yǒu rén néng zhǔn què yù cè gǔ shì de zǒu shì.
    No one can accurately predict the stock market trend.

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.

预yùin advance
测cèestimate

预 means beforehand and 测 means to estimate, giving estimation in advance.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 預; 预 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yè
Sound part声符shēngfú
予
予yǔ預yù
Same sound today

The traditional form 預 combines 予 for the sound and 頁 for the meaning; the simplified 预 is a later shorthand.

Open 预 →

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 →
Appears in
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