synonym Comparative
想像する
VS
憶測
Differences Between "想像する" and "憶測"
Option A
想像する
Meaning
to imagine; to picture; to guess; to suppose
Reading
そうぞうする (sōzō suru)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
何光年も離れた宇宙の果てにどのような未知の生命体が存在するのか、私たちは夜空を見上げながら頭の中で_______ことしかできません。
What kind of unknown lifeforms exist at the edge of the universe light-years away, we can only imagine in our heads while looking up at the night sky.
Option B
憶測
Meaning
speculation, conjecture, guess (often without solid evidence)
Reading
おくそく (okusoku)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
その話はただの憶測に過ぎない。
That story is nothing more than speculation.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to imagine; to picture; to guess; to suppose)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 想像する: Refers to imagining or picturing things, future states, or someone's feelings in the mind without direct observation. Often used as 将来を想像する or 相手の気持ちを想像する. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To imagine! "I was imagining a sweet morning where Haruka-san makes breakfast for me..." ...っ! T-To imagine me as your housewife! B-Baka! Don't have such sweet dreams! But... if you wash the dishes, I suppose I can make delicious miso soup for you every single morning! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『そうぞう（想像）する！『ハルカさんがエプロン姿で僕に朝食を作ってくれる幸せな未来を、毎日ニヤニヤしながら想像しています！』って…っ！そんな所帯じみた想像するなんてバカ！…でも、その幸せな想像、絶対に現実にしてあげるから、毎朝私の作る料理を綺麗に完食しなさいよね！』
- 憶測: 確かな根拠がないのに、あれこれと想像して言い当てることです。しばしば否定的な文脈で使われます。 (To imagine and guess various things without solid evidence. Often used in negative contexts.)
- 想像する: Refers to imagining or picturing things, future states, or someone's feelings in the mind without direct observation. Often used as 将来を想像する or 相手の気持ちを想像する. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To imagine! "I was imagining a sweet morning where Haruka-san makes breakfast for me..." ...っ! T-To imagine me as your housewife! B-Baka! Don't have such sweet dreams! But... if you wash the dishes, I suppose I can make delicious miso soup for you every single morning! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『そうぞう（想像）する！『ハルカさんがエプロン姿で僕に朝食を作ってくれる幸せな未来を、毎日ニヤニヤしながら想像しています！』って…っ！そんな所帯じみた想像するなんてバカ！…でも、その幸せな想像、絶対に現実にしてあげるから、毎朝私の作る料理を綺麗に完食しなさいよね！』
- 憶測: 確かな根拠がないのに、あれこれと想像して言い当てることです。しばしば否定的な文脈で使われます。 (To imagine and guess various things without solid evidence. Often used in negative contexts.)
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