1.
to guess; to sense; to infer
to understand or perceive something without being told directly, based on context or subtle cues
彼の気持ちを察する。
To sense his feelings.
状況を察して行動する。
To act based on reading the situation.
言わなくても察してほしい。
I want you to understand without me having to say it.
2.
to sympathize with; to understand someone's feelings
to perceive and empathize with someone's unspoken feelings or situation
ご心中察します。
I understand how you must feel.
彼女の苦労を察する。
To sympathize with her hardships.
親の心を察する。
To understand a parent's feelings.
CULTURAL IMPORTANCE:
This verb is central to Japanese high-context communication. The ability to 察する is highly valued in Japanese culture, where direct expression can be avoided in favor of implicit communication.
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 空気を読む (to read the atmosphere)
- 行間を読む (to read between the lines)
- 言わなくても分かる (to understand without being told)
FORMAL EXPRESSION:
「ご心中察します」is a polite way to express sympathy.