추측 (chu-cheuk, chucheuk) · 확정 (hwak-jeong, hwakjeong) · 부정 (bu-jeong, bujeong)
추측 expresses uncertainty or possibility, 확정 states certainty or fact, and 부정 denies a fact or claim.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
To speak about a fact with uncertainty, expressing possibility or guess
When to use
future prediction, uncertain information, expressing possibility
The nuance
Use when there is no certain evidence or fact, and you speak mainly about possibilities.
To state a fact or result clearly and unchangeably with certainty
When to use
official decision, certain fact, unchangeable
The nuance
Use when the evidence is certain or the fact is officially decided.
To deny a fact or claim by saying 'not' or 'no'
When to use
fact denial, claim rebuttal, disavowal
The nuance
Use when clearly denying a claim or fact as false or untrue.
내일 비가 올 것 같아.
nae-il bi-ga ol geos gat-a., nae il bi ga ol geos gat a.
It's an uncertain prediction about the future, so 추측 is appropriate.
내일 비가 올 것이 확정되었어.
nae-il bi-ga ol geos-i hwak-jeong-doe-eoss-eo., nae il bi ga ol geos i hwak jeong doe eoss eo.
It states an officially decided fact, so 확정 is correct.
내일 비가 오지 않을 거야, 그거 부정해.
nae-il bi-ga o-ji an-eul geo-ya, geu-geo bu-jeong-hae., nae il bi ga o ji an eul geo ya, geu geo bu jeong hae.
It denies the claim that it will rain, so 부정 is appropriate.
내일 비가 올 것 확정해.
nae-il bi-ga ol geos hwak-jeong-hae., nae il bi ga ol geos hwak jeong hae.
확정 is for official or certain facts; using it for future prediction sounds unnatural.
그 사람이 거짓말한 것을 추측해.
geu sa-ram-i geo-jis-mal-han geos-eul chu-cheuk-hae., geu sa ram i geo jis mal han geos eul chu cheuk hae.
Lying is a fact to confirm or deny, so 추측 is inappropriate here.
그가 범인이 아니라고 확정해.
geu-ga beom-in-i a-ni-ra-go hwak-jeong-hae., geu ga beom in i a ni ra go hwak jeong hae.
Confirming innocence requires strong evidence; simple denial suits 부정 better.
그가 범인이라는 것을 부정한다.
geu-ga beom-in-i-ra-neun geos-eul bu-jeong-han-da., geu ga beom in i ra neun geos eul bu jeong han da.
It correctly denies the claim that he is the culprit.
그가 범인일 것이라고 부정해.
geu-ga beom-in-il geos-i-ra-go bu-jeong-hae., geu ga beom in il geos i ra go bu jeong hae.
부정 is for denial; mixing it with 추측 causes ambiguity.
Which expression fits best for uncertain future prediction?
Which word is most appropriate to state an officially decided fact?
Which word is used to deny a claim?
Fill in the blank: 'I ___ that he might be the culprit.'
