Translation and Meaning of: 見当 - kentou
If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 見当 (けんとう). It appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to more formal texts, and carries interesting meanings that may not be obvious at first glance. In this article, we will explore what this word means, how it is used in daily life, and some tips for memorizing it efficiently. Moreover, we will see how the term is rooted in Japanese culture and why it is so useful for those who want to master the language.
Meaning and usage of 見当 (けんとう)
The term 見当 (けんとう) can be translated as "estimate," "notion," or "approximate idea." It is often used when someone is trying to guess or calculate something without absolute certainty. For example, if you ask a Japanese friend if he knows what time it is and he responds "見当がつかない" (けんとうがつかない), it means he has no idea at all.
Additionally, 見当 can also refer to a direction or course, especially in more practical contexts. If someone says "彼の見当は正しかった" (かれのけんとうはただしかった), it means that the assumption or direction he took was correct. This versatility makes the word quite useful in different situations, both informal and formal.
Origin and composition of kanjis
The word 見当 is composed of two kanji: 見 (けん), which means "to see" or "to look," and 当 (とう), which can be translated as "to hit" or "to reach." Together, they form the idea of "to see and to hit," which makes sense when we think about the meaning of "estimate" or "notion." This combination reflects well the practical use of the word, as it is related to attempts at understanding or prediction.
It is worth noting that 見当 is not an old or rare word. It frequently appears in everyday conversations and even in written materials, such as newspapers and books. Its use is so common that, when learning Japanese, it is very likely that you will encounter it multiple times in different contexts.
Tips for memorizing and using 見当
An effective way to fix 見当 in memory is to associate it with situations where you need to make an assumption. For example, if you are trying to guess the price of a product without looking at the tag, you might think "見当がつかない" to say that you have no idea of the value. Repeating sentences like this out loud helps internalize the term.
Another tip is to pay attention when the word appears in animes, dramas, or even in news. Often, the context in which it is used can clarify its meaning even more. If you want to practice, try creating your own sentences with 見当 and use them in conversations or writing exercises.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 見当点 (Kentōten) - Estimation point
- 見当地 (Kentōchi) - Estimated place
- 見当場 (Kentōba) - Estimate location
- 見当外れ (Kentōhazure) - Incorrect estimate
- 見当違い (Kentōchigai) - Incorrect estimate / The ideas are mistaken
- 見当違いをする (Kentōchigai o suru) - Make an incorrect estimate
- 見当違いを言う (Kentōchigai o iu) - Say something that is off the mark.
- 見当違いの (Kentōchigai no) - Related to incorrect estimates
- 見当違いのことを言う (Kentōchigai no koto o iu) - Say something incoherent
- 見当違いのことをする (Kentōchigai no koto o suru) - Do something wrong
- 見当違いのことを言わない (Kentōchigai no koto o iwanai) - Do not say wrong things
- 見当違いのことをしない (Kentōchigai no koto o shinai) - Do not do wrong things
- 見当違いのことを考える (Kentōchigai no koto o kangaeru) - Think of something incorrect
- 見当違いのことを思う (Kentōchigai no koto o omou) - To find something that is off-target.
- 見当違いのことを話す (Kentōchigai no koto o hanasu) - Talk about something incorrect
- 見当違いのことを書く (Kentōchigai no koto o kaku) - Escrever algo errado
- 見当違いのことを語る (Kentōchigai no koto o kataru) - Count wrong things
Romaji: kentou
Kana: けんとう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: be found; goal; mark; I estimated; divination; approx; direction
Meaning in English: be found;aim;mark;estimate;guess;approx;direction
Definition: Kento - Guessing or predicting the general scope or direction of something.
Quick Access
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- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (見当) kentou
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (見当) kentou:
Example Sentences - (見当) kentou
See below some example sentences:
Miatō ga tsukanai
I have no idea.
I have no idea.
- 見当 - It means "estimate" or "guess".
- が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- つかない - The negative form of the verb "tsukeru", which means "to find" or "to discover", is "não tsukeru".
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
