假设 (jiǎshè) — to assume, to hypothesize; hypothesis

假设 (jiǎshè)

假设 means to assume or hypothesize — to posit something as true for the purposes of argument or investigation. As a noun, it means a hypothesis or assumption. It is central to scientific research, philosophical argumentation, and mathematical proof. It implies a provisional claim that needs to be tested or proven rather than a stated fact.

Meanings

1. [v] to assume; to suppose; to hypothesize
2. [n] hypothesis; assumption; supposition

Example Sentences

研究的核心假设是：经济不平等与社会流动性之间存在负相关关系。 Yánjiū de héxīn jiǎshè shì: jīngjì bùpíngděng yǔ shèhuì liúdòngxìng zhījiān cúnzài fù xiānguān guānxi. The core hypothesis of the research is that there is a negative correlation between economic inequality and social mobility.

让我们假设资源完全充足，看看在理想条件下这个模型会如何运作。 Ràng wǒmen jiǎshè zīyuán wánquán chōngzú, kànkàn zài lǐxiǎng tiáojiàn xià zhège móxíng huì rúhé yùnzuò. Let us assume that resources are fully sufficient and see how the model would operate under ideal conditions.

这一理论基于若干未经验证的假设，其普遍适用性值得商榷。 Zhè yī lǐlùn jīyú ruògān wèi jīng yànzhèng de jiǎshè, qí pǔbiàn shìyòngxìng zhídé shāngquè. This theory is based on several unverified assumptions, and its universal applicability is open to question.

数学证明中常用"假设命题成立"的方法来推导必要条件。 Shùxué zhèngmíng zhōng cháng yòng "jiǎshè mìngtí chénglì" de fāngfǎ lái tuīdǎo bìyào tiáojiàn. Mathematical proofs often use the method of "assuming the proposition holds" to derive necessary conditions.

历史反事实研究假设不同的历史决策，以探讨历史的偶然性与必然性。 Lìshǐ fǎnshìshí yánjiū jiǎshè bùtóng de lìshǐ juécè, yǐ tàntǎo lìshǐ de ǒurànxìng yǔ bìrànxìng. Counterfactual historical research hypothesizes different historical decisions to explore the contingency and necessity of history.

在缺乏实证数据的情况下，研究者只能以合理的假设作为分析起点。 Zài quēfá shízhèng shùjù de qíngkuàng xià, yánjiūzhě zhǐ néng yǐ hélǐ de jiǎshè zuòwéi fēnxī qǐdiǎn. In the absence of empirical data, researchers can only use reasonable assumptions as the starting point for analysis.

Collocations

Usage Notes

假设 is the standard term for "hypothesis" in academic and scientific Chinese. It differs from 猜测 (cāicè, guess) in that 假设 is a reasoned, provisional claim made as a starting point for investigation, not a random guess. In scientific writing, 假设 is tested through experiments (验证假设), while in mathematical proof, it is used as a conditional premise.

As a verb, 假设 is often followed by a clause: 假设A等于B (assume A equals B) or 假设我们有足够的时间 (assuming we have enough time). The structure 假设…那么 (if we assume…then) is common in logical argumentation. Do not confuse 假设 with 假装 (jiǎzhuāng), which means to pretend or feign.

Memory Hook

假 (false, temporary) + 设 (to set up, to establish): "setting up a temporary claim" — a provisional premise waiting to be tested.