to speculate
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to speculate
To make assumptions about something without having certain information or proof.
Die Journalisten spekulieren über den Grund für den Rücktritt des Ministers.
The journalists are speculating about the reason for the minister's resignation.
The preposition after 'spekulieren' (to speculate) changes the meaning. 'Spekulieren über' (+ accusative) means to speculate about or assume. 'Spekulieren mit' (+ dative) is used for financial transactions. 'Spekulieren auf' (+ accusative) means to hope for or bank on something.
Die Presse spekuliert über eine mögliche Krise.
The press is speculating about a possible crisis.
In the meaning 'to assume/speculate,' 'spekulieren' is often combined with 'darüber' and a subordinate clause. This subordinate clause is usually an indirect question that begins with 'ob' (whether), 'warum' (why), 'wie' (how), etc.
Man spekuliert darüber, ob der Chef die Firma verlassen wird.
People are speculating about whether the boss will leave the company.
When the context involves money, stocks, real estate, or the stock market, 'spekulieren' always has the meaning of risky financial transactions. Typical objects are 'Aktien' (stocks), 'Währungen' (currencies), or 'Rohstoffe' (raw materials/commodities).
In den 90er-Jahren spekulierten viele Leute mit Immobilien.
In the 1990s, many people speculated in real estate.
to know
'wissen' and 'spekulieren' are opposites in terms of certainty. 'wissen' is used when you know a fact or have reliable information. 'spekulieren' is used when you make assumptions without evidence or clear information. Learners may confuse the words because both occur when talking about possible explanations. But 'Ich weiß, warum er fehlt' sounds certain. 'Ich spekuliere, warum er fehlt' means: I am only guessing or suggesting possibilities.
Nach dem Essen spekulieren alle, warum der Chef so früh gegangen ist.
After the meal, everyone speculates about why the boss left so early.
Die Lehrerin weiß, warum Max heute nicht in der Schule ist.
The teacher knows why Max is not at school today.