spekulieren

Spekulieren is a German verb meaning to speculate. It has several related senses, the most common being twofold. First, to form conjectures or entertain possibilities about something without firm evidence. In this sense, one speaks of “über etwas spekulieren,” as in speculating about the reasons for a business outcome or about a future event. Second, in economic and financial contexts, to engage in speculative activity by buying assets with the hope that their value will rise (or fall) and thus generate profit. Phrases such as “mit Aktien spekulieren” or “in Immobilien spekulieren” are typical.

The corresponding noun is Spekulation, which denotes the act or practice of speculating. A person who engages in such activity is often called a Spekulant. The term is used in everyday language as well as in professional finance to describe risk-taking behavior with uncertain outcomes. The concept also exists in a more abstract or philosophical sense, referring to speculative thinking or theoretical deliberation that goes beyond empirical evidence.

Etymology and usage notes: spekulieren is a loanword in German related to the noun Spekulation, which derives from a late Latin origin via French or directly through historical Germanic usage. The root idea is connected with looking, considering, or pondering possibilities. In modern German, context determines whether spekulieren conveys conjecture, risk-taking in markets, or philosophical speculation.

See also: Spekulation, Spekulant, spekulativ, speculative thinking.