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假设 (jiǎ shè) — (verb) to suppose, to assume, to presume; (noun) hypothesis, assumption, conjecture

Definition

假设 is the formal, neutral 'suppose / assume' used in reasoning and science — as a noun, a stated premise or hypothesis. 比 猜测 and 推测 more deliberate and propositional; unlike 设想 it is not used for vivid envisioning.

verb
to supposeto assumeto presume
noun
hypothesisassumptionconjecture

Examples

  • 假设，。
    jiǎ shè Míng tiān huì xià yǔ, wǒ men jiù qǔ xiāo huó dòng.
    Suppose it rains tomorrow, we'll cancel the event.
  • 假设。
    Zhè ge kē xué jiǎ shè hái xū yào gèng duō de zhèng jù lái zhèng míng.
    This scientific hypothesis still needs more evidence to prove it.
  • 假设，。
    Wǒ men xiān jiǎ shè tā shì duì de, rán hòu fēn xī jié guǒ.
    Let's first assume he is right, and then analyze the results.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

假jiǎsuppose
设shèsuppose

假设 combines 假 and 设, both suggesting supposition, to mean suppose or hypothesis.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
叚
叚jiǎ假jiǎ
Same sound today

假 pairs 亻 (person) with 叚, which gives the sound jiǎ.

Open 假 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 設; 设 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì設shè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 設 uses 言 (speech) to show the meaning and 埶 to give the sound; this explanation is for 設, not the simplified 设.

Open 设 →
Appears in
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