命题 (mìngtí)

命题 has two related meanings: as a noun it means a proposition, thesis, or stated problem; as a verb it means to set the topic for an essay, exam, or debate.

Meanings

[noun] proposition; thesis; problem statement; stated topic
[verb] to set a topic; to formulate a question; to propose a problem (for an exam or essay)

Example Sentences

这道数学题的命题非常清晰。 Zhè dào shùxué tí de mìngtí fēicháng qīngxī. The proposition of this math problem is very clear.

高考作文的命题每年都会有所不同。 Gāokǎo zuòwén de mìngtí měinián dōu huì yǒusuǒ bùtóng. The topic set for college entrance exam essays varies every year.

这是一个关于自由与责任的哲学命题。 Zhè shì yī gè guānyú zìyóu yǔ zérèn de zhéxué mìngtí. This is a philosophical proposition about freedom and responsibility.

老师负责为本次考试命题。 Lǎoshī fùzé wèi běn cì kǎoshì mìngtí. The teacher is responsible for setting the questions for this exam.

这个命题引发了学术界的广泛讨论。 Zhège mìngtí yǐnfā le xuéshujiè de guǎngfàn tǎolùn. This proposition sparked widespread discussion in academic circles.

辩论赛的命题是关于人工智能的伦理问题。 Biànlùnsài de mìngtí shì guānyú réngōng zhìnéng de lúnlǐ wèntí. The proposition for the debate was about the ethical issues of artificial intelligence.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
哲学命题	philosophical proposition
命题作文	essay with a set topic
考试命题	exam question setting
核心命题	core proposition / thesis
命题人	person who sets the topic/question

Usage Notes

命题 is used in both academic/philosophical contexts and in educational settings. In philosophy and logic, a 命题 is a declarative statement that can be evaluated as true or false. In education, the verb sense (to set a topic) is common in discussions of exam or essay design.

The compound 命题作文 (essay with a given topic) is a specific genre of writing in Chinese education where the topic is provided by the teacher or exam board. This contrasts with 话题作文 (topic essay) where only a theme is suggested.

Memory Hook

命 means "to name/decree" and 题 means "topic/question." 命题 is to decree a topic -- the official naming of what must be discussed or proven.