caai1 soeng2猜想
Jyutpingcaai1 soeng2
Yalechāai séung
Definition
To speculate, guess, or conjecture.
- a guess, speculation, or estimate made without full certainty
- technicala mathematical conjecture that is unproven but unrefuted
neutralothercommunication
How it's used
While 猜想 is understood in Cantonese, it carries a slightly formal or academic tone compared to everyday speech. Most people prefer using 估 or 諗法 when talking about casual guesses or opinions. It is frequently used in contexts involving logic, investigation, or scientific theories where a hypothesis needs to be tested.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This is just your speculation, don't go around saying things.
Do you have any guesses about how it happened?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 猜想 in casual conversation where 估 is much more natural. Using 猜想 to describe a simple guess about what someone is doing can sound overly dramatic or like you are speaking in a formal debate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
