估计

gūjì

Meaning

估计 is a verb meaning “to estimate”, “to reckon”, “to judge roughly”. It is used when you draw a conclusion from the information or circumstances at hand.

Basic structure

估计 + Clause → It's probably… Subject + 估计 + Clause → Someone reckons that…

Examples

我(Wǒ)还(hái)不(bù)习(xí)惯(guàn)北(běi)方(fāng)的(de)气(qì)候(hòu)，估(gū)计(jì)是(shì)天(tiān)气(qì)太(tài)干(gān)。

I'm not used to the northern climate yet — I reckon the air is too dry.

你(Nǐ)有(yǒu)没(méi)有(yǒu)去(qù)问(wèn)问(wen)小(Xiǎo)王(Wáng)？估(Gū)计(jì)他(tā)应(yīng)该(gāi)有(yǒu)办(bàn)法(fǎ)。

Have you asked Xiao Wang? I reckon he'll have a solution.

机(Jī)场(chǎng)通(tōng)知(zhī)飞(fēi)机(jī)晚(wǎn)点(diǎn)一(yī)个(gè)小(xiǎo)时(shí)，估(gū)计(jì)他(tā)下(xià)午(wǔ)六(liù)点(diǎn)才(cái)能(néng)到(dào)上(Shàng)海(hǎi)。

The airport announced an hour's delay — I reckon he won't reach Shanghai until six in the evening.

Common expressions

估计是…… — it's probably… 估计会…… — will probably… 我估计…… — I reckon…

估计 vs. 觉得

估(Gū)计(jì)他(tā)已(yǐ)经(jīng)到(dào)了(le)。

I reckon he's already arrived.

我(Wǒ)觉(jué)得(de)很(hěn)好(hǎo)。

I think it's good.

估计 → an inference from facts or circumstances. 觉得 → a personal opinion or feeling.

估计 vs. 猜

估(Gū)计(jì)今(jīn)天(tiān)会(huì)下(xià)雨(yǔ)。

It'll probably rain today.

猜(Cāi)一(yī)猜(cāi)。

Have a guess.

估计 → a judgement grounded in information. 猜 → a guess with nothing much to go on.

Remember: 估计 = to estimate, to reckon. It rests on available information, not on pure guesswork. It differs from 觉得 (opinion) and 猜 (guess).