假设 jiǎshè to suppose
to suppose; to presume; to assume; supposing that ...; if; hypothesis; conjecture
How to remember 假设: 假 fake + 设 to build = to suppose.
Characters
How it is used
- To suppose, or a hypothesis - 假设明天下雨 (jiǎshè míngtiān xià yǔ) suppose it rains tomorrow; 提出假设 (tíchū jiǎshè) put forward a hypothesis.
- As a conjunction it's more analytical than everyday 如果/要是 (rúguǒ/yàoshi, if), used to set up a deliberate scenario for reasoning.
- As a noun it's the standard word for a scientific or logical hypothesis.
Example sentences
- 这只是个假设。 Zhè zhǐshì gè jiǎshè.This is just a hypothesis.