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投機 — meaning in English: Speculation

tōki · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for speculation
パイロット
pairotto
Man
いろいろ
iroiro
投機
tōki
リスト
risuto
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neutral common
Usage
Native speakers often use the word 投機 (tōki) in financial discussions, particularly when talking about stock markets or real estate investments. For example, one might say, '投機が盛んな市場です' (tōki ga sakanna shijō desu), meaning 'It's a market with active speculation,' during conversations about economic trends.
Synonyms & nuances
While 投機 (tōki) specifically refers to speculation, especially in finance, another related term is 投資 (tōshi), meaning investment. The key difference lies in the element of risk;投資 suggests a more stable, long-term approach, whereas 投機 implies a higher risk for potential quick gains.
Culture
The term 投機 has roots in the kanji 投 (to throw) and 機 (opportunity), reflecting the idea of 'throwing one's resources' into an opportunity, often with uncertain outcomes. In Japan, speculation is often viewed with caution due to historical economic bubbles, making this term not only relevant but also laden with cultural significance.
FAQ
Q.What is the meaning of 投機 in English?
The word 投機 (tōki) translates to 'speculation' in English, referring to the act of buying assets with the hope of making a profit based on future price changes.
Q.How do you use 投機 in a sentence?
You can use 投機 in a sentence like, '彼は株式市場で投機をしています' (Kare wa kabushiki shijō de tōki o shiteimasu), which means 'He is speculating in the stock market.'
Q.Are there common mistakes with using 投機?
A common mistake is confusing 投機 (tōki) with 投資 (tōshi). While both involve financial activities, 投機 carries a connotation of higher risk and uncertainty, whereas 投資 implies a more stable and long-term commitment.
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