推断 (tuīduàn) — to infer, to deduce

推断 (tuīduàn)

推断 means to infer or deduce — to arrive at a conclusion through logical reasoning from available evidence or information. It implies that the conclusion is not directly observed but derived through inference. It is used in academic analysis, legal reasoning, detective work, and everyday problem-solving when conclusions must be drawn from incomplete information.

Meanings

1. [v] to infer; to deduce; to draw conclusions through reasoning
2. [v] to surmise; to make a reasoned judgment based on available evidence

Example Sentences

根据现有的地质证据，科学家推断该地区曾发生过大规模火山活动。 Gēnjù xiànyǒu de dìzhì zhèngjù, kēxuéjiā tuīduàn gāi dìqū céng fāshēngguò dàguīmó huǒshān huódòng. Based on existing geological evidence, scientists inferred that large-scale volcanic activity had once occurred in the region.

检察官从一系列间接证据中推断出被告的犯罪动机。 Jiǎncháguān cóng yī xìliè jiànjiē zhèngjù zhōng tuīduàn chū bèigào de fànzuì dòngjī. The prosecutor inferred the defendant's criminal motive from a series of circumstantial evidence.

通过对甲骨文字形的分析，学者们推断出了商代的若干社会习俗。 Tōngguò duì jiǎgǔwén zìxíng de fēnxī, xuézhemen tuīduàn chūle Shāngdài de ruògān shèhuì xísú. By analyzing oracle bone script characters, scholars inferred several social customs of the Shang Dynasty.

我们可以从他回避问题的方式推断出他对此事的真实立场。 Wǒmen kěyǐ cóng tā huíbì wèntí de fāngshì tuīduàn chū tā duì cǐ shì de zhēnshí lìchǎng. We can infer his true position on the matter from the way he evades questions.

经济学家通过消费者信心指数推断出短期内的市场走势。 Jīngjìxuéjiā tōngguò xiāofèizhě xìnxīn zhǐshù tuīduàn chū duǎnqī nèi de shìchǎng zǒushì. Economists inferred short-term market trends from consumer confidence indices.

从这封书信的措辞与笔迹，专家推断其创作年代不早于十九世纪中叶。 Cóng zhè fēng shūxìn de cuòcí yǔ bǐjì, zhuānjiā tuīduàn qí chuàngzuò niándài bù zǎoyú shíjiǔ shìjì zhōngyè. From the wording and handwriting of this letter, experts inferred that its creation date was no earlier than the mid-nineteenth century.

Collocations

Usage Notes

推断 is close to 推理 (tuīlǐ) but with a subtle difference: 推理 emphasizes the process of reasoning, while 推断 emphasizes arriving at a specific conclusion or judgment. Both are used in academic and detective contexts. 推断 is also more commonly used when the conclusion is somewhat uncertain — it is an informed judgment rather than an absolute proof.

The pattern 根据…推断 (to infer based on…) is the most common construction. 推断 can function as a noun (这只是一种推断, this is merely an inference) as well as a verb. Distinguish from 推测 (tuīcè, to speculate or estimate), which carries a higher degree of uncertainty and is less grounded in systematic reasoning.

Memory Hook

推 (to push forward) + 断 (to judge, to conclude): "pushing your thinking forward to reach a conclusion" — reasoned inference.