说不定 · 估计
说不定: maybe, it could be · 估计: I reckon, probably
Structure
说不定 + 句子 · 主语 + 估计 + 句子
What it means
说不定 (literally “can’t say for sure”) means “maybe, it could even be”. 估计 means “I reckon, probably”: a guess from what you know.
How it is built
说不定 + sentence, or before the verb: 他还没到，说不定是堵车了 (Maybe he’s stuck in traffic). (我)估计 + sentence: 我估计体检结果下周才出来 (I reckon the results won’t be out till next week).
When to use it
Both are less sure than 肯定. 估计 often guesses times, numbers or results. 说不定。 on its own means “hard to say”.
Watch out
Don’t mix up 说不定 (maybe yes) with 不一定 (not necessarily): 他说不定会来 leans towards yes; 他不一定会来 leans towards doubt.
Examples
他还没到，说不定是堵车了。
He’s not here yet. Maybe he’s stuck in traffic.
多运动，说不定三个月就能减五公斤。
Exercise more and you might lose five kilos in three months.
我估计体检结果下周才出来。
I reckon the results won’t be out until next week.
这么多人，估计要排一个小时的队。
With this many people, we’ll probably have to queue for an hour.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 5: 体检 (The health check)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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