Translation guide
To guess or conclude based on incomplete evidence. In Japanese, this is often expressed through verbs of speculation, inference, or conjecture, with varying degrees of certainty and formality.
Expressing a personal guess or hunch, often without strong evidence.
A general term for surmising or inferring. Neutral and widely used.
彼の反応から、何かあったのだと推測した。
From his reaction, I surmised that something had happened.
Conjecture or speculation, often with a nuance of guessing without solid grounds. Can imply a less reliable guess.
それは単なる憶測に過ぎない。
That's mere surmise.
A common pattern for 'I think it's probably...' Expresses a personal surmise in casual or neutral speech.
明日は雨だろうと思う。
I surmise it will rain tomorrow.
A softer, more tentative way to express a surmise: 'I can't help but think that...'
彼はもう帰ったのではないかと思う。
I surmise he has already gone home.
Drawing a logical conclusion from available facts or clues.
To infer or reason out. More logical and systematic than 推測.
残された証拠から、犯人は男性だと推論した。
From the evidence left behind, they surmised the culprit was a man.
To sense or surmise based on subtle cues, often used for understanding someone's feelings or situation.
彼の沈黙から、何か悩みがあるのだと察した。
From his silence, I surmised he had some worry.
A formal pattern used in news or reports to indicate that something is surmised or believed to be the case.
事故の原因は人為的ミスと見られる。
The cause of the accident is surmised to be human error.
Expressing a suspicion or gut feeling, often about something negative or hidden.
To suspect or doubt. Used when you surmise something is wrong or someone is guilty.
私は彼が嘘をついていると疑っている。
I surmise he is lying.
To have a feeling that... A casual way to express a vague surmise or hunch.
何か悪いことが起こる気がする。
I surmise something bad will happen.
推測 is a general term for surmising or guessing. 憶測 often implies speculation without solid evidence, sometimes with a negative connotation of jumping to conclusions. 推論 is more logical and systematic, akin to 'inference' or 'deduction'.
それは単なる憶測だ。
That's just speculation.
科学的推論に基づく。
Based on scientific inference.
The English word 'surmise' is relatively formal. In Japanese, directly translating it as 推測する is acceptable, but in casual conversation, patterns like ～だろうと思う or 気がする are more natural.