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公算 (こうさん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
probability ; likelihood
Formal noun used especially in news, reports, and analytical writing to express the chance of an event occurring. Often appears in phrases like 公算が大きい (highly probable) or 公算が強い (strong likelihood).
きょ
に
勝か
つ
公こう
算さん
は
強つよ
い
。
The likelihood of him winning the election is strong.
Kanji 公 public, prince, official 算 calculate, divining, number Similar words 確かく 率りつ 確率 is the general mathematical/statistical term for probability, while 公算 is a more formal, often news-oriented term for likelihood or prospect.
可か 能のう 性せい 可能性 is a broader, everyday word for possibility or potential, whereas 公算 specifically implies a calculated or estimated probability, often in formal contexts.
Etymology Compound of 公 (public, official) and 算 (calculation, counting). The term originally referred to an official or public calculation, later extended to mean an estimated probability or likelihood in formal discourse.
