估计 gūjì appraise
appraise; estimate
How to remember 估计: 估 to estimate + 计 calculate = appraise.
Characters
How it is used
- To estimate / reckon - 估计有一百人 (gūjì yǒu yìbǎi rén) I reckon there are about a hundred; also 'I guess/probably' - 他估计不来了 (tā gūjì bù lái le) he probably won't come.
- That second use is very common in speech as a hedge, like 'I'd guess'. Contrast 猜 (cāi, to guess, playful/without basis): 估计 is a reasoned rough estimate.
- Contrast 大概/可能 (dàgài/kěnéng, probably) - 估计 adds a sense of appraising the odds.
Example sentences
- 估计晚上会下雨。 Gūjì wǎnshang huì xiàyǔ.I think it will rain tonight.
- 估计那就是个笑话吧。 Gūjì nà jiùshì gè xiàohuà ba.I guess it's only a joke.
- 我估计我无法及时赶到。 Wǒ gūjì wǒ wúfǎ jíshí gǎndào.I don't think I'll be able to get there on time.