What does it mean to "infer"?

To "infer" means to conclude something based on reasoning or evidence rather than from explicit statements. When you infer, you gather information from what has been said or presented and piece together a deeper understanding or an unstated conclusion. For example, if someone observes dark clouds and then concludes that it might rain, they are inferring the possibility of rain based on the evidence of the clouds rather than being directly told that it will rain.

The other choices are distinct actions that do not capture the essence of making conclusions based on situational evidence or reasoning. Stating something directly involves clear communication without the need for interpretation. Translating between languages requires a different skill set focused on linguistic comprehension. Arguing against a belief involves presenting counterpoints or evidence rather than drawing conclusions from existing information. Thus, the choice that accurately reflects the meaning of "infer" is the one that emphasizes the reasoning process involved in arriving at a conclusion.