Meaning
预计 means to make an estimate or prediction about something that will happen in the future, typically based on available information or trends. It's commonly used in formal contexts like business reports, weather forecasts, news articles, and official statements when discussing expected outcomes, projected figures, or anticipated developments.
Usage
This is a somewhat formal term frequently used in written Chinese, news broadcasts, and professional settings. It often appears with time expressions or numerical data. Native speakers use it when making projections about events, statistics, or situations. In casual conversation, speakers might use simpler alternatives like 估计 (gūjì) or 预料 (yùliào).
Examples
- 01预计明天下午三点到达北京。.It is expected to arrive in Beijing at 3 PM tomorrow.
- 02今年的经济增长预计将达到百分之五。.This year's economic growth is forecast to reach five percent.
Characters
Common collocations
- 预计到达时间estimated time of arrival
- 预计成本estimated cost
- 据预计according to estimates
- 初步预计preliminary estimate
Origin
The word combines 预 (in advance) with 计 (to calculate), literally meaning 'to calculate in advance' or 'to pre-calculate,' which naturally extends to the meaning of estimating or forecasting future events.