揣

• Physical: To tuck or place something under one's clothing, typically for concealment or warmth.
• Cognitive: To conjecture, surmise, or gauge. This involves an attempt to "weigh" or fathom hidden qualities, motives, or intentions.

Functions primarily as a transitive verb. Common objects are abstract, such as motives, secrets, intentions (心), or complex conceptual frameworks.

• Vs. 度: While both involve estimation, 度 typically refers to objective limits, scale, or proportion, whereas 揣 focuses on the intuitive sensing of something internal or concealed.
• Vs. 猜: Both mean "to guess," but 揣 suggests a more deliberate, analytical process of weighing evidence. While 猜 often leans toward suspicion, 揣 is an act of strategic gauging.
• 揣摩: In technical, artistic, or philosophical contexts, this compound denotes deep study or intensive imitation to understand inner workings.

Context determines the shift from physical to cognitive meanings. In scenes involving physical action or travel, prioritize the literal sense of "tucking" or "carrying." In political, strategic, or ethical discourse, treat it as a verb of cognitive probing ("fathoming" or "surmising").