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B1 noun #3,500 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

die Hypothese

Top 3,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces die Hypothese en 30 secondes

Explication die Hypothese in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'die Hypothese' is quite advanced, but you might see it in very simple science-related texts or hear it in a classroom. For a beginner, it is enough to know that 'die Hypothese' means 'an idea' or 'a guess' that someone wants to check. It is a feminine word, so we say 'die Hypothese'. You can think of it like a question that you want to answer with an experiment. For example: 'Ich habe eine Hypothese: Schokolade macht glücklich.' (I have a hypothesis: Chocolate makes you happy). At this stage, you don't need to use it often, but recognizing it as a cousin of the English word 'hypothesis' will help you understand more complex German sentences later on. Just remember: 'die' (feminine) and it's about checking an idea.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about school, work, and basic opinions. 'Die Hypothese' is a useful word when you want to sound a bit more formal than just saying 'Ich denke...' (I think...). You might encounter it in news stories about science or health. At this level, you should know that the plural is 'die Hypothesen'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Seine Hypothese war falsch' (His hypothesis was wrong). It's also good to know the adjective 'hypothetisch' (hypothetical) for situations that are not real. For example, 'Das ist eine hypothetische Frage' (That is a hypothetical question). Understanding this word helps you transition from basic everyday German to the kind of German used in media and education.

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At the B1 level, 'die Hypothese' is a core vocabulary word for discussing topics like technology, environment, and society. You should be able to use it actively. The most important phrase to learn is 'eine Hypothese aufstellen' (to set up/formulate a hypothesis). At B1, you are expected to follow logical arguments, and 'Hypothese' is a key part of that. You might say, 'Wir müssen zuerst eine Hypothese aufstellen, bevor wir mit dem Projekt beginnen.' (We must first formulate a hypothesis before we start the project). You should also distinguish it from 'die Meinung' (opinion). A 'Hypothese' is something you want to prove with facts, while a 'Meinung' is just how you feel. Using this word correctly will make your German sound much more professional and academic.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'die Hypothese' in various contexts, including academic and professional settings. You should know common collocations like 'eine Hypothese verifizieren' (to verify) or 'eine Hypothese widerlegen' (to refute). You will often see this word in 'Leseverstehen' (reading comprehension) exercises on the B2 exam, especially in texts about research or social trends. You should also understand related terms like 'Arbeitshypothese' (working hypothesis). At this level, you can use the word to structure your own arguments in 'Schreiben' (writing) tasks. For example: 'Die vorliegende Hypothese stützt sich auf die Ergebnisse der Studie von 2022.' (The present hypothesis is based on the results of the 2022 study). You are moving towards a mastery of 'Bildungssprache' (educational language).

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At the C1 level, you use 'die Hypothese' with precision and nuance. you understand the philosophical implications of the word, such as the 'Nullhypothese' in statistics or the role of hypotheses in 'Erkenntnistheorie' (epistemology). You can engage in complex debates where you analyze the 'Grundhypothesen' (fundamental hypotheses) of different theories. You should be able to use the word in the genitive case effortlessly: 'Trotz der Plausibilität dieser Hypothese fehlen eindeutige Beweise.' (Despite the plausibility of this hypothesis, clear evidence is lacking). At this stage, you also recognize the difference between 'Hypothese' and 'These' in academic discourse—where a 'These' is a claim to be defended and a 'Hypothese' is an assumption to be tested. Your usage reflects a high level of critical thinking.

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At the C2 level, 'die Hypothese' is a tool you use with total fluency in highly specialized academic, scientific, or philosophical contexts. You can discuss the 'Falsifizierbarkeit von Hypothesen' according to Karl Popper or the 'Paradigmenwechsel' that occurs when old hypotheses are discarded. You are familiar with compound nouns like 'Hypothesenüberprüfung' or 'Hypothesengeleitet'. You can use the word in stylistic ways, perhaps using it metaphorically in literature or high-level journalism. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but conceptual; you know exactly how a hypothesis fits into the larger architecture of a scientific theory. You can effortlessly switch between 'Hypothese', 'Axiom', 'Postulat', and 'Prämisse' to convey the exact logical status of a statement.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

die Hypothese en 30 secondes

Die Hypothese ist eine wissenschaftliche Vermutung, die man prüfen muss.
Das Wort ist feminin (die Hypothese) und kommt aus dem Griechischen.
Wichtige Verben sind 'aufstellen', 'prüfen', 'bestätigen' und 'widerlegen'.
Es ist ein Schlüsselwort für akademisches Denken und logische Diskussionen.

The German noun die Hypothese is a fundamental term used to describe a tentative assumption or a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. While it is deeply rooted in the scientific method, its application in German extends into academic discussions, legal contexts, and even everyday speculative conversations where a logical framework is being established. Unlike a simple 'Vermutung' (guess), a 'Hypothese' suggests a structured proposition that can be tested, proven, or disproven. In a German-speaking environment, using this word signals a level of intellectual precision. It suggests that the speaker is not just throwing out random ideas but is proposing a specific model of how something might work. For English speakers, the cognate 'hypothesis' makes it easy to recognize, but the nuances of its usage in German academic culture—specifically the emphasis on 'Falsifizierbarkeit' (falsifiability)—are crucial. In German universities, the 'Hypothesenbildung' (formation of hypotheses) is the first step of any 'Hausarbeit' (term paper) or 'Masterarbeit'.

Scientific Rigor: In science, a Hypothese is a statement that must be testable. It is the bridge between observation and theory.
Everyday Speculation: In daily life, Germans might use it ironically or formally to describe a guess: 'Das ist eine interessante Hypothese, aber hast du Beweise?' (That is an interesting hypothesis, but do you have proof?).
Legal and Logical Context: Lawyers and philosophers use it to build 'Was-wäre-wenn' (what-if) scenarios to test the consistency of an argument or a law.

Der Forscher stellte die Hypothese auf, dass Pflanzen bei klassischer Musik schneller wachsen.

The word is feminine, following the pattern of many German words ending in '-e' derived from Greek. Its plural form is 'die Hypothesen'. Understanding this word is essential for anyone aiming for B1 level or higher, as it appears frequently in news reports, documentaries, and educational materials. It helps speakers move beyond simple descriptions of the world into the realm of analysis and prediction. When you use 'Hypothese', you are engaging in 'abstraktes Denken' (abstract thinking), which is highly valued in German culture. Historically, the concept of the hypothesis was central to the Enlightenment and the development of modern German philosophy, from Kant to Popper. Thus, the word carries with it a legacy of critical thinking and skepticism toward unverified claims.

Wir müssen die Hypothese durch Experimente verifizieren oder falsifizieren.

Es ist nur eine Hypothese, kein Faktum.

Using die Hypothese correctly involves understanding its grammatical gender and the specific verbs that accompany it. As a feminine noun, it requires the article 'die' in the nominative and accusative cases, 'der' in the dative and genitive cases. The most common verb pair is 'eine Hypothese aufstellen' (to formulate/set up a hypothesis). Once a hypothesis is established, it can be 'prüfen' (to test), 'bestätigen' (to confirm), 'untermauern' (to support/substantiate), or 'widerlegen' (to refute). In academic writing, you might see 'die Hypothese verwerfen' (to reject the hypothesis) if the data does not support it. For English speakers, it is important to remember that 'hypothesize' is often translated as 'eine Hypothese aufstellen' rather than a single verb, though 'hypothesieren' exists, it is much less common in standard German.

Direct Object: 'Ich teste die Hypothese.' (I am testing the hypothesis.) Here, it is in the accusative case.
Genitive Attribute: 'Die Bestätigung der Hypothese war ein Durchbruch.' (The confirmation of the hypothesis was a breakthrough.)

Können Sie Ihre Hypothese mit Daten belegen?

In complex sentences, 'die Hypothese' often introduces a subordinate clause starting with 'dass' (that). For example: 'Die Hypothese, dass Wasser auf dem Mars existiert, wurde jahrelang diskutiert.' (The hypothesis that water exists on Mars was discussed for years). This structure is very common in scientific reporting. Another important aspect is the use of adjectives. You can have a 'gewagte Hypothese' (bold hypothesis), an 'arbeitshypothese' (working hypothesis), or a 'plausible Hypothese'. Using these modifiers helps clarify the status of the idea. In a debate, you might hear: 'Das ist eine interessante Hypothese, aber sie hält einer kritischen Prüfung nicht stand.' (That is an interesting hypothesis, but it does not withstand critical scrutiny). This demonstrates how the word functions as a tool for logical evaluation.

Diese Hypothese basiert auf veralteten Annahmen.

While 'die Hypothese' might sound like a word reserved for lab coats, it is surprisingly common in various German environments. First and foremost, you will hear it in **educational settings**. From 'Gymnasium' (high school) through 'Universität', students are taught to think in terms of hypotheses. In a chemistry class, a teacher might ask, 'Was ist eure Hypothese für dieses Experiment?' In **journalism**, especially in science and tech reporting, 'Hypothese' is used to describe new theories or unexplained phenomena. For instance, a news segment on climate change might discuss 'die Hypothese der kippenden Systeme' (the hypothesis of tipping points). In the **business world**, specifically in consulting and strategy, 'Hypothesen-basiertes Arbeiten' (hypothesis-based working) is a standard methodology where consultants form a theory about a business problem and then gather data to test it.

In der Talkshow wurde die Hypothese diskutiert, dass soziale Medien die Demokratie gefährden.

You will also encounter the word in **detective stories and true crime podcasts** ('Krimi-Podcasts'). Investigators often say, 'Unsere aktuelle Hypothese ist, dass der Täter das Opfer kannte.' (Our current hypothesis is that the perpetrator knew the victim). In this context, it replaces 'Theorie' or 'Vermutung' to sound more professional and methodical. Furthermore, in **political discourse**, politicians might dismiss an opponent's argument as 'bloße Hypothese' (mere hypothesis) to imply it lacks factual backing. The word is also a staple in **German philosophy and psychology** discussions. If you listen to a podcast like 'Sternstunde Philosophie', the guests will frequently analyze the 'Hypothesen' underlying different worldviews. This wide range of usage shows that 'Hypothese' is a versatile tool for any German speaker who wants to discuss ideas, possibilities, and the search for truth.

Die Arbeitshypothese der Polizei erwies sich als falsch.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing die Hypothese with die Theorie. In colloquial English, 'theory' is often used to mean a guess (e.g., 'I have a theory why he's late'). In German, while this happens, 'Hypothese' is the more accurate term for an unproven assumption, whereas 'Theorie' usually refers to a well-substantiated framework (like 'die Relativitätstheorie'). Another mistake is the gender; learners often assume it is masculine because it ends in 'e' and sounds technical, but it is definitively feminine. Using 'der Hypothese' in the nominative is a common error. Furthermore, the plural form 'Hypothesen' is sometimes misspelled as 'Hypotheses' by English speakers, following English pluralization rules.

Hypothese vs. Vermutung: Use 'Vermutung' for a casual guess ('Ich vermute, es regnet bald'). Use 'Hypothese' for something that requires testing or logical proof.
Hypothese vs. These: A 'These' is often a claim you intend to defend in an argument, while a 'Hypothese' is an assumption you intend to test objectively.

Falsch: Der Hypothese ist interessant.
Richtig: Die Hypothese ist interessant.

Another subtle mistake involves the verbs. English speakers might say 'eine Hypothese machen' (to make a hypothesis), but in German, you 'stellen eine Hypothese auf'. Using 'machen' sounds uneducated or non-native in this context. Additionally, be careful with the word 'hypothetisch' (hypothetical). While it is the adjective form, it is often used in German to dismiss something as unrealistic: 'Das ist rein hypothetisch' can mean 'That will never happen'. Finally, avoid using 'Hypothese' when you simply mean 'opinion' (Meinung). A hypothesis must be based on some level of observation or logic, not just personal preference. Misusing these terms can lead to misunderstandings in professional or academic settings where precision is paramount.

To enrich your German vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to die Hypothese but carry different shades of meaning. The most common alternative is **die Annahme** (assumption). This is used when you take something for granted as a basis for further thought. **Die Vermutung** (guess/presumption) is much more informal and subjective. If you are making a claim in a debate, you might use **die These** (thesis/assertion). In scientific contexts, you might hear **die Axiom** (axiom), which is a statement accepted as true without proof, or **die Theorie**, which is a comprehensive explanation supported by many hypotheses and data points.

die Annahme: Focuses on the act of assuming something is true for the sake of an argument. 'Unter der Annahme, dass...' (Assuming that...).
die These: More assertive than a hypothesis. It is a proposition that you are prepared to defend with arguments.
die Spekulation: Often used negatively to describe ideas that lack any real evidence. 'Das ist reine Spekulation!'

Statt einer Hypothese können wir auch von einer vorläufigen Annahme sprechen.

In more specialized fields, you might encounter **das Postulat** (postulate), which is a requirement or a fundamental principle. If you are talking about a gut feeling that leads to a hypothesis, you might use **die Intuition** or **die Vorahnung**. For a very weak guess, **der Verdacht** (suspicion) is used, especially in legal or interpersonal contexts. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the word that best fits the 'degree of certainty' and the 'formal context' of your statement. For example, in a lab, you 'test a hypothesis', but in a murder mystery, you 'follow a suspicion' (einem Verdacht nachgehen). Learning these synonyms helps you navigate the high-level nuances of the German language and express complex thoughts more accurately.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word entered German in the 16th century, primarily through academic and philosophical Latin texts.

Guide de prononciation

UK /hypoˈteːzə/

US /hypoˈteːzə/

The stress is on the third syllable: hy-po-THE-se.

Rime avec

These Synthese Prothese Exegese Antithese Diözese Anamnese Genese

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'y' like 'i' (it should be 'ü').
Pronouncing 'th' as in English (it is just a 't' sound in German).
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.
Pronouncing the final 'e' like 'ee' (it should be a schwa /ə/).
Voicing the 'h' too strongly or not at all.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize due to the English cognate.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of specific verbs like 'aufstellen'.

Expression orale 4/5

Pronunciation of 'y' as 'ü' can be tricky.

Écoute 3/5

Clear pronunciation in formal contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

die Idee denken vielleicht wissen prüfen

Apprends ensuite

die Theorie das Experiment die Analyse falsifizieren verifizieren

Avancé

die Erkenntnistheorie das Paradigma die Deduktion die Induktion die Prämisse

Grammaire à connaître

Feminine nouns ending in -e

die Hypothese, die Analyse, die Synthese

Nouns with Greek roots

die Hypothese (often feminine, plural -en)

Separable verbs in infinitive clauses

Es ist schwer, eine Hypothese *aufzustellen*.

Dative case after 'widersprechen'

Das widerspricht der Hypothese.

Genitive case for possession

Die Prüfung der Hypothese...

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Exemples par niveau

Die Hypothese ist neu.

The hypothesis is new.

Feminine nominative singular.

Meine Hypothese: Es regnet heute.

My hypothesis: It's raining today.

Simple usage as a guess.

Ist die Hypothese richtig?

Is the hypothesis correct?

Question structure.

Ich habe eine Hypothese.

I have a hypothesis.

Accusative case with 'haben'.

Die Hypothese ist klein.

The hypothesis is small.

Adjective agreement.

Das ist keine Hypothese.

That is not a hypothesis.

Negation with 'keine'.

Wir lesen die Hypothese.

We are reading the hypothesis.

Plural subject, accusative object.

Sie schreibt die Hypothese.

She is writing the hypothesis.

Third person singular verb.

Seine Hypothese war sehr interessant.

His hypothesis was very interesting.

Past tense 'war'.

Wir prüfen die Hypothese im Kurs.

We are checking the hypothesis in the course.

Present tense, 'prüfen' verb.

Hast du eine bessere Hypothese?

Do you have a better hypothesis?

Comparative adjective 'bessere'.

Die Hypothesen sind oft falsch.

The hypotheses are often wrong.

Plural form 'Hypothesen'.

Er erklärt seine Hypothese.

He explains his hypothesis.

Possessive pronoun 'seine'.

Diese Hypothese hilft uns nicht.

This hypothesis doesn't help us.

Demonstrative pronoun 'diese'.

Ich glaube an diese Hypothese.

I believe in this hypothesis.

Preposition 'an' + accusative.

Die Wissenschaftler diskutieren die Hypothese.

The scientists are discussing the hypothesis.

Plural subject.

Wir müssen eine klare Hypothese aufstellen.

We must formulate a clear hypothesis.

Modal verb 'müssen' + 'aufstellen'.

Die Hypothese wurde durch das Experiment bestätigt.

The hypothesis was confirmed by the experiment.

Passive voice 'wurde bestätigt'.

Es gibt keine Beweise für diese Hypothese.

There is no evidence for this hypothesis.

Preposition 'für' + accusative.

Diese Hypothese klingt logisch, aber sie ist unbewiesen.

This hypothesis sounds logical, but it is unproven.

Conjunction 'aber'.

Können Sie Ihre Hypothese kurz zusammenfassen?

Can you briefly summarize your hypothesis?

Separable verb 'zusammenfassen'.

Die Forscher verwerfen die ursprüngliche Hypothese.

The researchers are rejecting the original hypothesis.

Specific verb 'verwerfen'.

In meiner Hausarbeit untersuche ich diese Hypothese.

In my term paper, I am investigating this hypothesis.

Inversion (prepositional phrase first).

Die Hypothese, dass Sport gesund ist, ist alt.

The hypothesis that sports are healthy is old.

Appositive 'dass' clause.

Die statistische Analyse stützt unsere Hypothese.

The statistical analysis supports our hypothesis.

Scientific verb 'stützen'.

Wir arbeiten mit einer vorläufigen Arbeitshypothese.

We are working with a preliminary working hypothesis.

Compound noun 'Arbeitshypothese'.

Diese gewagte Hypothese löste eine Debatte aus.

This bold hypothesis triggered a debate.

Adjective 'gewagt' (bold/daring).

Man sollte eine Hypothese nicht ohne Daten aufstellen.

One should not set up a hypothesis without data.

Indefinite pronoun 'man'.

Die Ergebnisse widersprechen der gängigen Hypothese.

The results contradict the common hypothesis.

Dative case after 'widersprechen'.

Es bleibt abzuwarten, ob die Hypothese haltbar ist.

It remains to be seen whether the hypothesis is tenable.

Subordinate clause with 'ob'.

Die Hypothese muss unter kontrollierten Bedingungen geprüft werden.

The hypothesis must be tested under controlled conditions.

Passive with modal verb.

Trotz vieler Versuche konnte die Hypothese nicht verifiziert werden.

Despite many attempts, the hypothesis could not be verified.

Preposition 'trotz' + genitive.

Die Falsifizierung der Hypothese führte zu neuen Erkenntnissen.

The falsification of the hypothesis led to new insights.

Genitive case 'der Hypothese'.

Diese Hypothese bildet das Fundament seiner gesamten Theorie.

This hypothesis forms the foundation of his entire theory.

Metaphorical usage.

Es handelt sich hierbei lediglich um eine spekulative Hypothese.

This is merely a speculative hypothesis.

Formal construction 'handelt sich um'.

Die Validität der Hypothese wird in Fachkreisen stark bezweifelt.

The validity of the hypothesis is strongly doubted in professional circles.

Academic vocabulary 'Fachkreise'.

Wir müssen die zugrunde liegende Hypothese kritisch hinterfragen.

We must critically scrutinize the underlying hypothesis.

Participle as adjective 'zugrunde liegend'.

Seine Hypothese entbehrt jeglicher wissenschaftlichen Grundlage.

His hypothesis lacks any scientific basis.

Verb 'entbehren' + genitive.

Die Hypothese wurde ad absurdum geführt.

The hypothesis was taken to the point of absurdity.

Latin expression 'ad absurdum'.

Inwieweit lässt sich diese Hypothese auf andere Bereiche übertragen?

To what extent can this hypothesis be applied to other areas?

Interrogative 'inwieweit'.

Die heuristische Funktion der Hypothese darf nicht unterschätzt werden.

The heuristic function of the hypothesis must not be underestimated.

Advanced academic term 'heuristisch'.

Eine Hypothese, die nicht falsifizierbar ist, ist unwissenschaftlich.

A hypothesis that is not falsifiable is unscientific.

Philosophical concept (Popper).

Wir müssen die epistemologische Relevanz dieser Hypothese prüfen.

We must examine the epistemological relevance of this hypothesis.

High-level vocabulary.

Die Hypothese fungiert als Katalysator für den Paradigmenwechsel.

The hypothesis acts as a catalyst for the paradigm shift.

Complex metaphor.

Man kann die Hypothese als einen Versuch der Welterklärung deuten.

One can interpret the hypothesis as an attempt to explain the world.

Abstract interpretation.

Die Divergenz zwischen Hypothese und Empirie ist eklatant.

The divergence between hypothesis and empirical data is striking.

Formal vocabulary 'Divergenz', 'Empirie'.

Diese Hypothese ist immanenter Bestandteil des Diskurses.

This hypothesis is an immanent part of the discourse.

Philosophical terminology.

Die Tragfähigkeit der Hypothese wurde durch Langzeitstudien untermauert.

The viability of the hypothesis was substantiated by long-term studies.

Metaphor 'Tragfähigkeit' (load-bearing capacity).

Collocations courantes

eine Hypothese aufstellen

eine Hypothese prüfen

eine Hypothese bestätigen

eine Hypothese widerlegen

eine gewagte Hypothese

eine plausible Hypothese

die zugrunde liegende Hypothese

eine Hypothese verwerfen

eine Hypothese formulieren

Arbeitshypothese

Phrases Courantes

reine Hypothese

— Something that is completely unproven.

Das ist bisher alles reine Hypothese.

eine Hypothese stützen

— To provide evidence for an idea.

Diese Funde stützen die Hypothese.

von einer Hypothese ausgehen

— To use a hypothesis as a starting point.

Wir gehen von der Hypothese aus, dass...

eine Hypothese entwerfen

— To create or design a hypothesis.

Er entwarf eine komplexe Hypothese.

eine Hypothese untermauern

— To give a hypothesis a strong foundation.

Wir müssen die Hypothese mit Fakten untermauern.

eine Hypothese falsifizieren

— To prove a hypothesis wrong (scientific term).

Popper wollte Hypothesen falsifizieren.

eine Hypothese verifizieren

— To prove a hypothesis right (scientific term).

Die Studie verifizierte die Hypothese.

an einer Hypothese festhalten

— To keep believing in a hypothesis despite doubts.

Er hält an seiner Hypothese fest.

eine Hypothese modifizieren

— To slightly change a hypothesis.

Wir mussten die Hypothese modifizieren.

die Nullhypothese

— A statistical term for 'no effect'.

Die Nullhypothese konnte nicht abgelehnt werden.

Souvent confondu avec

die Hypothese vs Hypothek

Sounds similar but means 'mortgage' (finance).

die Hypothese vs Hypotenuse

The longest side of a right-angled triangle (math).

die Hypothese vs Hysterie

Uncontrolled emotion; sounds vaguely similar but unrelated.

Expressions idiomatiques

"auf einer Hypothese reiten"

— To obsessively stick to one idea.

Er reitet ständig auf dieser einen Hypothese herum.

informal

"Luftschloss-Hypothese"

— A hypothesis with no basis in reality (metaphorical).

Das ist doch eine reine Luftschloss-Hypothese.

informal

"eine Hypothese aus dem Ärmel schütteln"

— To come up with a hypothesis very quickly without effort.

Er schüttelte die Hypothese einfach so aus dem Ärmel.

informal

"ins Blaue hinein hypothesieren"

— To make wild guesses without any data.

Wir sollten nicht einfach ins Blaue hinein hypothesieren.

neutral

"eine Hypothese zu Grabe tragen"

— To finally give up on a hypothesis.

Nach dem Experiment mussten wir die Hypothese zu Grabe tragen.

figurative

"die Hypothese hinkt"

— The hypothesis is flawed or inconsistent.

Deine Hypothese hinkt an mehreren Stellen.

colloquial

"eine Hypothese unter die Lupe nehmen"

— To examine a hypothesis very closely.

Wir nehmen diese Hypothese jetzt genau unter die Lupe.

neutral

"eine Hypothese in den Raum stellen"

— To suggest a hypothesis for discussion.

Ich möchte mal die Hypothese in den Raum stellen, dass...

neutral

"eine Hypothese abklopfen"

— To test a hypothesis for weaknesses.

Wir müssen die Hypothese auf ihre Belastbarkeit abklopfen.

colloquial

"Hand und Fuß haben"

— Used to describe a hypothesis that is well-founded.

Diese Hypothese hat Hand und Fuß.

idiomatic

Facile à confondre

die Hypothese vs Theorie

Often used interchangeably in English.

A theory is a broad, proven framework; a hypothesis is a specific, unproven guess.

Die Relativitätstheorie umfasst viele Hypothesen.

die Hypothese vs These

Both involve claims.

A 'These' is an assertion to be argued; a 'Hypothese' is an assumption to be tested.

Ich habe die These, dass Freiheit wichtig ist.

die Hypothese vs Annahme

Similar meanings.

An 'Annahme' is more general; 'Hypothese' is more scientific and structured.

Unter der Annahme, dass wir Zeit haben...

die Hypothese vs Vermutung

Both are guesses.

A 'Vermutung' is subjective and casual; a 'Hypothese' is objective and formal.

Ich habe die Vermutung, er lügt.

die Hypothese vs Axiom

Technical terms.

An axiom is accepted without proof; a hypothesis requires proof.

In der Geometrie gibt es viele Axiome.

Structures de phrases

Die Hypothese ist [Adjektiv].

Die Hypothese ist gut.

Ich habe eine Hypothese über [Nomen].

Ich habe eine Hypothese über das Wetter.

Wir müssen eine Hypothese aufstellen, um [Verb].

Wir müssen eine Hypothese aufstellen, um das Problem zu lösen.

Die Hypothese, dass [Satz], ist [Adjektiv].

Die Hypothese, dass es regnet, ist falsch.

Die Daten stützen die Hypothese von [Name/Quelle].

Die Daten stützen die Hypothese von Professor Schmidt.

Es gibt keine Beweise, die diese Hypothese untermauern.

Trotz der Plausibilität der Hypothese bleibt [Nomen] ungewiss.

Trotz der Plausibilität der Hypothese bleibt der Ausgang ungewiss.

Die Hypothese fungiert als [Nomen] im Rahmen der [Nomen].

Die Hypothese fungiert als Axiom im Rahmen der Untersuchung.

Famille de mots

Noms

Hypothesenbildung

Hypothesenprüfung

Arbeitshypothese

Nullhypothese

Verbes

hypothesieren (rare)

annehmen

vermuten

voraussetzen

Adjectifs

hypothetisch

Apparenté

These

Theorie

Annahme

Vermutung

Spekulation

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in academic and news contexts, medium in daily life.

Erreurs courantes

Der Hypothese → Die Hypothese
The word is feminine, not masculine. Always use 'die'.
Eine Hypothese machen → Eine Hypothese aufstellen
In German, you 'set up' (aufstellen) a hypothesis rather than 'making' one.
Hypothesis (English spelling) → Hypothese
Don't forget to remove the 'is' and add an 'e' at the end for the German spelling.
Confusion with Hypothek → Hypothese
A 'Hypothek' is a mortgage. Don't tell your bank you have a scientific 'Hypothese' on your house!
Using 'Theorie' for a guess → Hypothese
In formal German, use 'Hypothese' for unproven guesses and 'Theorie' for established frameworks.

Astuces

Article Memory

Remember: 'Die Hypothese' is feminine. Most scientific words ending in -e like 'Analyse' or 'Synthese' are also feminine.

Verb Pairing

Always pair it with 'aufstellen'. Example: 'Lass uns eine Hypothese aufstellen.' This sounds much better than 'haben' or 'machen'.

Hypothese vs. These

In an essay, use 'These' for your main argument and 'Hypothese' for things you are going to test with data.

The 'Y' Sound

Don't say 'Hi-potese'. Say 'Hü-potese'. The 'y' is a rounded 'ü' sound.

Using 'dass'

When explaining the hypothesis, use a 'dass'-clause: 'Die Hypothese, dass Zucker schädlich ist...'

Daily Use

Use it to sound smarter in a debate. Instead of 'Ich glaube...', say 'Meine Hypothese ist...'

Falsification

In German science, a hypothesis is only good if it can be proven wrong. This is called 'Falsifizierbarkeit'.

Adjectives

Use 'gewagt' (bold) or 'plausibel' (plausible) to describe your hypothesis for better flow.

Context Clues

If you hear 'aufstellen' in a technical talk, the next word is likely 'Hypothese' or 'Behauptung'.

B2/C1 Tip

Learn 'Arbeitshypothese'. It appears very often in academic reading tasks on exams.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Hypo' (under) 'These' (thesis). It's the idea that sits *under* your main argument until you prove it.

Association visuelle

Imagine a scientist building a ladder (the hypothesis) to reach a high shelf (the truth). The ladder is only useful if it's strong enough to hold weight.

Word Web

Wissenschaft Experiment Logik Annahme Beweis Test Theorie Frage

Défi

Try to write three 'Arbeitshypothesen' about why German grammar is difficult, using the verb 'aufstellen'.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Ancient Greek 'hypóthesis' (ὑπόθεσις).

Sens originel : Literally 'a placing under', meaning a foundation, base, or supposition.

Indo-European -> Greek -> Latin -> German.

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it to dismiss serious lived experiences as 'just a hypothesis'.

English speakers often use 'theory' when they mean 'hypothesis'. In German, this distinction is more strictly observed in professional settings.

Karl Popper's 'Logik der Forschung' Albert Einstein's various physical hypotheses The 'Humboldtian model' of higher education emphasizing research and hypotheses

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

University/Science

Hypothese aufstellen
Daten sammeln
Ergebnisse analysieren
Hypothese bestätigen

Detective/Crime

Tathergang
Verdächtiger
Hypothese der Ermittler
Spuren sichern

Business Strategy

Marktanalyse
Arbeitshypothese
Kundenbedürfnisse
Hypothese testen

School/Education

Biologiestunde
Experiment planen
Was ist deine Hypothese?
Protokoll schreiben

Debate/Politics

Argumentation
Gegenhypothese
Beweislast
logische Schlussfolgerung

Amorces de conversation

"Was ist deine Hypothese dazu, warum die Züge in Deutschland oft Verspätung haben?"

"Hast du eine Hypothese für das seltsame Wetter in dieser Woche?"

"Welche wissenschaftliche Hypothese findest du am faszinierendsten?"

"Können wir die Hypothese aufstellen, dass Kaffee die Produktivität wirklich steigert?"

"Glaubst du, dass diese Hypothese in zehn Jahren noch aktuell sein wird?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über eine eigene Hypothese, die du über das Sprachenlernen hast. Wie würdest du sie prüfen?

Reflektiere über eine Situation, in der deine Hypothese über eine Person völlig falsch war.

Entwirf eine Hypothese für eine Kurzgeschichte: Was würde passieren, wenn es kein Internet mehr gäbe?

Warum ist es wichtig, Hypothesen zu haben, anstatt nur nach Fakten zu suchen?

Diskutiere die Hypothese: 'Künstliche Intelligenz wird den Lehrerberuf ersetzen'.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Der Plural ist 'die Hypothesen'. Er wird regelmäßig gebildet, indem man ein '-n' an das Ende des Wortes anfügt.

Das Wort ist weiblich: die Hypothese. Das ist typisch für viele deutsche Wörter mit griechischen Wurzeln, die auf -e enden.

Das wichtigste Verb ist 'aufstellen'. Man 'stellt eine Hypothese auf'. Weitere wichtige Verben sind 'prüfen', 'widerlegen' und 'bestätigen'.

Eine Hypothese ist eine vorläufige Vermutung. Eine Theorie ist ein System von Aussagen, das bereits viele Tests bestanden hat und breiter gefasst ist.

Nein, das klingt im Deutschen unnatürlich. Nutzen Sie immer 'eine Hypothese aufstellen' oder 'eine Hypothese formulieren'.

Eine Arbeitshypothese nutzt man am Anfang einer Untersuchung als provisorische Annahme, um überhaupt mit der Arbeit beginnen zu können.

Ja, sehr häufig. Man nutzt es oft für 'Was-wäre-wenn'-Szenarien: 'Das ist eine hypothetische Situation'.

Das 'y' wird wie ein deutsches 'ü' ausgesprochen. Die Lippen sind gerundet, wie beim Pfeifen.

Ja, besonders in B2- und C1-Prüfungen im Bereich Leseverstehen und wissenschaftliches Schreiben.

Das ist ein Begriff aus der Statistik. Er besagt, dass es keinen Unterschied oder keinen Effekt gibt, den man beweisen will.

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Teste-toi 200 questions

writing

Schreiben Sie einen Satz mit 'Hypothese' und 'aufstellen'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Practice using the correct verb collocation.