Meaning:

to predict, divination

Origin:

古人用火在龟甲上烧出裂纹，用以预测吉凶，叫做“卜”，引申为“猜测”、“估计”。

People in ancient times practiced divination according to the cracks on burnt tortoise shells. This was called “卜.” The character’s meaning extended to mean “to speculate” and “to estimate.”

Words：

卜卦(bǔguà)  : divination

占卜(zhānbǔ): to practice divination

吉卜(jíbǔ)     : good divination

卜度(bǔdù)   : to assume

卜骨(bǔgǔ)   : animal bones used to practice divination

Examples:

1. 古人用卜骨来占卜。

    Gǔrén yòng bǔgǔ lái zhānbǔ.

    People in ancient times used animal bones to practice divination.

2. 有的人不管做什么都喜欢事先占卜。

   Yǒude rén bùguǎn zuò shénme dōu xǐhuan shìxiān zhānbǔ

    Some people prefer to practice divination before doing anything.