見積もり（みつもり、mitsumori）
- estimate

The Japanese word 見積もり, pronounced みつもり (mitsumori), means "estimate," "quotation," or "estimation." It refers to a calculation of the approximate cost of something, usually a service or a product. It's a key term used in business and everyday transactions to determine pricing before a final agreement is reached. The word implies a projection based on available information, and the actual cost might differ.

⚫︎工事の見積もりをお願いします。 Translation: Please give me an estimate for the construction. ⚫︎商品の見積もりをいくつか比較検討しています。 Translation: I am comparing several estimates for the products. ⚫︎このサービスの料金の見積もりはいくらですか？ Translation: How much is the estimate for the fee of this service?

You use 見積もり when you want to ask for a price calculation before committing to a purchase or service. ⚫︎It’s common to request an 見積もり from a contractor, a repair shop, or a service provider. ⚫︎You might use it when buying a house, a car, or even planning an event. ⚫︎The word is essential in business contexts for budgeting and proposal purposes. ⚫︎You can use the verb 見積もる (mitsumoru) which means "to estimate."

⚫︎The standard way to write 見積もり is using kanji 見積もり. ⚫︎The reading is みつもり (mitsumori) in hiragana. ⚫︎It is almost never written in katakana. ⚫︎The okurigana (the suffix hiragana) is always written as もり. ⚫︎The verb form is 見積もる (mitsumoru). The conjugation of the verb [見積もり] can vary based on tense and politeness levels.

⚫︎見積 (mitsumori): This is a shortened version of 見積もり. The meaning is the same. ⚫︎概算 (gaisan): This word means "approximate estimate" or "rough estimate." ⚫︎価格 (kakaku): This means "price," but it's used in different contexts. A 見積もり gives a projected 価格.

⚫︎There is no single direct antonym. However, words related to the final price, or actual payment, could be considered. ⚫︎請求 (seikyuu): "Invoice" or "bill." This is issued *after* the service or purchase is complete. ⚫︎確定 (kakutei): "Decision," "settlement," or "confirmation," implying a final agreement of prices.

新しい家のリフォームの見積もりをいくつか比較しています。 ・Translation: I am comparing several estimates for renovating my new house. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates the common use of 見積もり in the context of construction and renovation.

車の修理の見積もりを取ってから、修理を依頼することにしました。 ・Translation: After getting an estimate for the car repair, I decided to request the repair. ・Explanation: This illustrates the process of obtaining a 見積もり as a preliminary step before making a decision.

⚫︎The kanji 見 (mi) means "to see" or "to look at." ⚫︎The kanji 積 (tsu) means "to accumulate" or "to calculate." ⚫︎Therefore, 見積もり conceptually involves "looking at" or "considering" various factors and "calculating" or "accumulating" the costs to arrive at an estimate. The word [見積もり] itself is a compound word formed from a verb.