Level 6

짐작하다

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Meaning and Usage

짐작하다 means 'to guess' or 'to infer' based on indirect evidence or intuition rather than certain knowledge. It is often used when someone tries to figure something out without having all the facts.

Common Contexts

This verb is frequently used in everyday conversation when discussing thoughts, feelings, or situations that are not explicitly stated but can be guessed from clues like facial expressions, tone, or context.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 짐작하다 + -(으)ㄹ 수 있다: to be able to guess or infer something
  • 짐작하다 + -(으)ㄹ 수 없다: to be unable to guess or infer
  • 짐작해 보다: to try guessing or inferring

Register and Politeness

짐작하다 is a neutral verb suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in spoken and written Korean.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 짐작하다 with 확신하다 (to be certain). Remember, 짐작하다 implies uncertainty and estimation, not definite knowledge.

Example Sentences

그의 표정을 보고 무슨 생각을 하는지 짐작할 수 있었다.

Geuui pyojeongeul bogo museun saenggageul haneunji jimjakhal su isseotda.

By looking at his expression, I was able to guess what he was thinking.

이 문제의 답을 짐작해 보았지만 확실하지 않다.

I munjeui dabeul jimjakhae boassjiman hwaksilhaji anta.

I tried to guess the answer to this question, but I'm not sure.

그가 왜 그렇게 행동했는지 짐작할 수 없다.

Geuga wae geureoke haengdonghaenneunji jimjakhal su eopda.

I can't guess why he acted that way.