Translation guide
The English phrase "have a hunch" means to have an intuitive feeling or suspicion about something, often without solid evidence. In Japanese, this is expressed through various words and phrases that convey intuition, gut feelings, or premonitions.
I have a bad hunch.
Expressing a gut feeling or suspicion about something, often without logical proof.
A very common and natural way to say 'I have a feeling/hunch that...' It attaches to a clause and expresses a vague intuition.
I have a hunch he won't come.
I have a hunch something bad is going to happen.
A noun meaning 'premonition' or 'hunch'. Often used with がする to say 'I have a hunch'.
I have a good hunch about this.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Refers to intuition or sixth sense. Often used in phrases like 勘が働く (intuition works) or 勘で (by intuition).
My hunch was right.
She has sharp intuition.
An adverb meaning 'somehow' or 'for some reason', often used to express a vague hunch without clear reason.
I have a hunch it's going to rain.
I have a hunch he's lying.
Means 'intuition' in a more direct, immediate sense. Slightly more formal or psychological than 勘.
I decided based on a hunch.
気がする is a very general phrase for 'I have a feeling that...' and can be used for any vague intuition. 予感がする specifically implies a premonition about a future event, often with emotional weight (good or bad). 勘 refers to one's intuitive faculty, like a sixth sense.
I have a hunch he'll succeed. (general feeling)
I have a premonition of success. (stronger, more specific)
There is no direct verb 'to hunch' in Japanese. Avoid literal translations. Use the phrases above to express the idea naturally.