当(あ)て推量(ずいりょう)

あてずいりょう
noun
guesswork; conjecture
abstract
1. guesswork; conjecture; random guess
A guess made without solid evidence or basis; speculation based on little information. Often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying the guess is unreliable.
それは当(あ)て推量(ずいりょう)にすぎない。
That is nothing more than guesswork.
当(あ)て推量(ずいりょう)で物(もの)を言(い)うな。
Don't speak based on guesswork.
It is dangerous to decide on a culprit based on guesswork without evidence.

当(あ)て means 'aim' or 'guess,' and 推量(すいりょう) means 'conjecture' or 'inference' (the reading changes to ずいりょう in this compound). 当(あ)て推量(ずいりょう) emphasizes that the guess is unfounded — a shot in the dark rather than a reasoned deduction.

Common collocations

  • 当(あ)て推量(ずいりょう)にすぎない (to be nothing more than guesswork)
  • 当(あ)て推量(ずいりょう)で言(い)う (to say based on guesswork)
  • 当(あ)て推量(ずいりょう)をする (to make a random guess)

Similar words