How common it is
预计 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say yùjì slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
预计是根据一些信息大概猜出数量或时间。
Yùjì shì gēnjù yīxiē xìnxī dàgài cāi chū shùliàng huò shíjiān.
Estimate is to roughly guess a quantity or time based on some information.
Context note
预计常用于说完成作业的时间、旅行时间或者花费。
Yùjì chángyòng yú shuō wánchéng zuòyè de shíjiān, lǚxíng shíjiān huòzhě huāfèi.
Estimate is often used for time to finish homework, travel time, or cost.
5 examples
我预计作业需要一小时完成。
wǒ yù jì zuò yè xū yào yì xiǎo shí wán chéng。
I estimate the homework will take one hour to finish.
妈妈预计我们旅行要花三天。
mā ma yù jì wǒ men lǚ xíng yào huā sān tiān。
Mom estimates our trip will take three days.
爸爸预计这次购物要花一百元。
bà ba yù jì zhè cì gòu wù yào huā yì bǎi yuán。
Dad estimates this shopping will cost one hundred yuan.
我预计明天会出太阳。
wǒ yù jì míng tiān huì chū tài yáng。
I estimate the sun will come out tomorrow.
老师预计我们班有二十个学生。
lǎo shī yù jì wǒ men bān yǒu èr shí gè xué shēng。
The teacher estimates our class has twenty students.
5 mini stories
小明预计他的生日会有十个朋友来。他准备了蛋糕。
xiǎo míng yù jì tā de shēng rì huì yǒu shí gè péng yǒu lái。 tā zhǔn bèi le dàn gāo。
Xiao Ming estimates ten friends will come to his birthday. He prepares a cake.
小红预计她的画要画两天。她每天画一点。
xiǎo hóng yù jì tā de huà yào huà liǎng tiān。 tā měi tiān huà yì diǎn。
Xiao Hong estimates her painting will take two days. She paints a little each day.
小刚预计他的积木要搭一小时。他很快搭好了。
xiǎo gāng yù jì tā de jī mù yào dā yì xiǎo shí。 tā hěn kuài dā hǎo le。
Xiao Gang estimates his blocks will take one hour to build. He finishes quickly.
小丽预计她的作业要写半小时。她认真写。
xiǎo lì yù jì tā de zuò yè yào xiě bàn xiǎo shí。 tā rèn zhēn xiě。
Xiao Li estimates her homework will take half an hour. She writes carefully.
小华预计他的零花钱够买玩具。他存了钱。
xiǎo huá yù jì tā de líng huā qián gòu mǎi wán jù。 tā cún le qián。
Xiao Hua estimates his allowance is enough to buy a toy. He saves money.