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Hypothese

B2 noun #1,000 most common 11 min read

Hypothese

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips Hypothese in 30 Seconds

Explanation Hypothese in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word 'Hypothese' often, but it is good to know it means 'an idea' or 'a guess' in a serious way. Think of it like a 'big idea' that a scientist has. In German, we say 'die Hypothese'. It is a feminine word. You might see it in a simple science book or hear it on the news. For now, you can just remember that it is like the English word 'hypothesis'. If you want to say you have a simple guess, you usually say 'Ich glaube...' (I believe...) or 'Vielleicht...' (Maybe...). But if you want to sound very smart, you can say 'Meine Hypothese ist...'. Just remember to use 'die' with it. For example: 'Die Hypothese ist gut.' (The hypothesis is good.) You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just recognize the word when you see it in a text about school or science. It is a 'cognate', which means it looks almost the same in English and German, making it easy to remember!

At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about more structured topics like school, work, and simple news. The word 'Hypothese' is useful when you want to describe a plan or a serious thought. It is a feminine noun: 'die Hypothese'. In the plural, it is 'die Hypothesen'. You will often find this word in school contexts. For example, 'Wir schreiben eine Hypothese für das Experiment' (We are writing a hypothesis for the experiment). It is more formal than 'eine Idee' or 'eine Vermutung'. When you use it, you show that you are thinking logically. A common verb to use with it is 'haben' (to have) or 'schreiben' (to write). You might also hear it in a detective story on TV when the police are thinking about who the thief is. They might say, 'Unsere Hypothese ist, dass...' (Our hypothesis is that...). Try to use it when you are explaining a reason for something in your German class. It will make your German sound more advanced!

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'Hypothese' in discussions about science, society, and work. You should understand that a 'Hypothese' is not just a random guess, but a 'begründete Vermutung' (a reasoned guess). You are now expected to use the correct verb 'aufstellen' (to set up/propose) instead of just 'haben'. For example: 'Der Wissenschaftler stellt eine Hypothese auf.' You should also be able to use it with a 'dass-Satz' (that-clause): 'Ich habe die Hypothese, dass das Wetter morgen besser wird.' Although 'Hypothese' is quite formal, it appears in newspapers and documentaries which you are now starting to understand. You should also recognize the difference between a 'Hypothese' and a 'Theorie'. A theory is something that has been proven many times, while a hypothesis is still being tested. In your own writing, use 'Hypothese' when you are presenting an argument in an essay. This shows you have a good grasp of academic German vocabulary.

At the B2 level, 'Hypothese' is a key word for your academic and professional vocabulary. You should use it confidently in discussions about research, business strategies, and complex social issues. You should be familiar with common collocations like 'eine Hypothese verifizieren' (to verify) or 'eine Hypothese widerlegen' (to refute). You should also understand the concept of an 'Arbeitshypothese' (working hypothesis)—an assumption you use temporarily to move a project forward. At this level, you should be able to discuss the validity of a hypothesis using adjectives like 'plausibel' (plausible), 'gewagt' (daring), or 'unhaltbar' (untenable). For example: 'Seine Hypothese ist zwar interessant, aber sie ist wissenschaftlich unhaltbar.' You are also expected to handle the genitive case: 'Die Prüfung der Hypothese dauerte Jahre.' (The testing of the hypothesis took years.) Using this word correctly helps you participate in high-level debates and write professional reports or essays for university entrance exams like TestDaF or DSH.

At the C1 level, you must master the nuances of 'Hypothese' within various academic and professional discourses. You should understand its role in the 'Erkenntnistheorie' (epistemology) and be able to discuss concepts like 'Falsifizierbarkeit' (falsifiability) as proposed by philosophers like Karl Popper. You should use the word in complex structures, such as 'einer Hypothese widersprechen' (to contradict a hypothesis) or 'eine Hypothese untermauern' (to support/substantiate a hypothesis). You should also be aware of related terms like 'Postulat', 'Axiom', and 'Prämisse', and know exactly when to use 'Hypothese' instead of them. In a professional setting, you might use 'Hypothesenprüfung' to describe a statistical process. Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of the scientific method. For instance, you might say: 'Die vorliegenden Daten zwingen uns dazu, die bisherige Hypothese zu revidieren.' (The available data force us to revise the previous hypothesis.) At this level, your choice of 'Hypothese' over 'Annahme' or 'These' should be deliberate and context-specific, demonstrating a high degree of linguistic precision.

At the C2 level, you use 'Hypothese' with the precision of a native speaker or a specialized scholar. You are comfortable using it in highly abstract philosophical or scientific debates. You understand the historical development of the term from its Greek roots ('hypo' - under, 'thesis' - placing) and how it functions as a 'supposition' in formal logic. You can navigate the subtle differences between a 'heuristische Hypothese' (a hypothesis used as a discovery tool) and a 'metaphysische Hypothese'. In your writing, you might employ sophisticated rhetorical devices, such as 'eine Hypothese ad absurdum führen' (to take a hypothesis to its absurd conclusion to disprove it). You are also adept at using the word in the context of 'Modellbildung' (model building) and 'Simulation'. Your command of the language allows you to critique the 'Hypothesenkonstrukt' of a research paper with nuance, perhaps noting that a hypothesis is 'zirkulär' (circular) or 'redundant'. At this level, 'Hypothese' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a precise tool you use to dissect and construct complex intellectual frameworks in German.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

Hypothese in 30 Seconds

A 'Hypothese' is a testable assumption or reasoned guess used as a starting point for scientific or logical investigation in German.
It is a feminine noun ('die Hypothese') and is most commonly used with the verb 'aufstellen' (to propose or set up).
Unlike a simple guess, it must be falsifiable, meaning there must be a way to prove it wrong through evidence.
It is a high-register word used frequently in academic, professional, and serious journalistic contexts across German-speaking countries.

The German word Hypothese is a cornerstone of both scientific inquiry and intellectual discourse. At its core, it represents a tentative explanation or a reasoned guess that serves as a starting point for further investigation. Unlike a simple 'guess' (Vermutung), a Hypothese is expected to be grounded in some level of existing knowledge and, crucially, it must be testable. In the German-speaking academic world, the ability to formulate a precise Hypothese is considered a fundamental skill, spanning from natural sciences to the humanities.

Scientific Context: In science, a Hypothese is a proposition that can be tested through empirical observation or experimentation. It is often phrased as an 'If-Then' statement (Wenn-Dann-Satz). For example, 'If we increase the temperature, then the reaction speed will double.' In German labs, researchers spend significant time on Hypothesenbildung (the formation of hypotheses) before any data is collected.
Everyday Usage: While primarily academic, the word has migrated into everyday German to describe any serious speculation. If a friend is late, you might say, 'Meine Hypothese ist, dass er den Bus verpasst hat.' However, using Hypothese instead of Vermutung adds a layer of formality or perhaps a touch of irony, suggesting that you are treating the situation like a mini-investigation.

Der Forscher stellte die Hypothese auf, dass der Klimawandel die Migrationsmuster der Vögel direkt beeinflusst.

Example: The researcher proposed the hypothesis that climate change directly influences bird migration patterns.

To understand Hypothese, one must distinguish it from Theorie. In German, as in English, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation, whereas a hypothesis is the initial, unproven step. One 'tests' (prüft) or 'verifies' (verifiziert) a hypothesis to see if it can eventually contribute to a theory. If the evidence contradicts the hypothesis, it is 'falsified' (falsifiziert) or 'rejected' (verworfen). This rigorous process is what defines the German approach to Wissenschaft (science/scholarship).

Ohne eine klare Hypothese fehlt dem Experiment die notwendige Struktur.

Furthermore, the concept of a 'null hypothesis' (Nullhypothese) is vital in German statistics. This is the assumption that there is no relationship between two measured phenomena. Rejecting the Nullhypothese is the goal of many German doctoral theses. Whether you are in a chemistry lab in Munich or a sociology seminar in Berlin, the Hypothese is the engine that drives the acquisition of new knowledge. It represents the bridge between 'not knowing' and 'knowing through evidence'.

Philosophical Nuance: In philosophy, a Hypothese is often discussed in the context of 'Abduktion' (abduction), where one moves from an observation to the most likely explanation. German thinkers like Karl Popper emphasized that a scientific Hypothese must be 'falsifizierbar' (falsifiable). If you cannot imagine a way to prove it wrong, it is not a scientific hypothesis.

Diese Hypothese ist so vage, dass man sie weder beweisen noch widerlegen kann.

Lassen Sie uns mit der Hypothese arbeiten, dass der Markt im nächsten Quartal wachsen wird.

Using Hypothese correctly in German requires an understanding of its grammatical gender (feminine) and the specific verbs that accompany it. Since it is a high-register word, it often appears in complex sentence structures involving subordinate clauses or passive constructions. The most frequent action associated with a Hypothese is 'aufstellen' (to formulate/propose). You don't just 'have' a hypothesis in a formal context; you 'propose' it.

Verbs of Creation: Common verbs include aufstellen (to set up), formulieren (to formulate), and entwickeln (to develop). Example: 'Die Forscherin formulierte eine gewagte Hypothese.' (The researcher formulated a daring hypothesis.)
Verbs of Testing: Once proposed, a hypothesis must be prüfen (to test), überprüfen (to verify/check), or testen (to test). Example: 'Wir müssen diese Hypothese durch Langzeitstudien überprüfen.' (We must verify this hypothesis through long-term studies.)

Nachdem die Daten analysiert wurden, konnte die ursprüngliche Hypothese bestätigt werden.

Example: After the data were analyzed, the original hypothesis could be confirmed.

When a hypothesis is found to be incorrect, German speakers use verbs like widerlegen (to refute/disprove), verwerfen (to discard/reject), or falsifizieren (to falsify). Note that falsifizieren is strictly academic. In a more casual debate, you might say, 'Deine Hypothese hat sich als falsch erwiesen' (Your hypothesis turned out to be wrong).

Es gibt mehrere konkurrierende Hypothesen zur Entstehung des Universums.

Adjectives also play a key role in describing the nature of the hypothesis. A kühne (bold) or gewagte (daring) hypothesis suggests high risk or innovation. A plausible (plausible) or naheliegende (obvious/suggestive) hypothesis feels safer. If a hypothesis is just a starting point, it is an Arbeitshypothese (working hypothesis). If it is the main focus, it is the Zentralhypothese.

Sentence Structure Tip: Hypotheses are often followed by a 'dass-Satz' (that-clause). 'Ich stelle die Hypothese auf, dass die Verkaufszahlen sinken werden.' The verb in the 'dass-clause' goes to the end.

Die Hypothese, dass Pflanzen auf Musik reagieren, ist wissenschaftlich umstritten.

Welche Hypothese liegt Ihrer Untersuchung zugrunde?

While Hypothese is a formal word, it is remarkably common in German society, reflecting the culture's emphasis on logic, education, and scientific rigor. You will encounter it in several distinct environments, each with its own nuance. Understanding these contexts helps you gauge when it is appropriate to use the word yourself.

Academia and Education: From high school (Gymnasium) onwards, German students are taught to think in terms of hypotheses. In university lectures (Vorlesungen) and seminars, professors will constantly ask, 'Was ist Ihre Hypothese?' (What is your hypothesis?). Any 'Hausarbeit' (term paper) or 'Masterarbeit' (master's thesis) must clearly state its hypotheses in the introduction.
Quality Journalism and News: In serious newspapers like the Süddeutsche Zeitung or Die Zeit, journalists use the word when discussing political developments or economic trends. Instead of saying 'We think the government will fall,' they might write, 'Es gibt die Hypothese, dass die Koalition vorzeitig zerbricht.' This adds an air of analytical objectivity to the reporting.

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

Example: In yesterday's talk show, the hypothesis was discussed that social media endangers democracy.

In the corporate world, particularly in fields like consulting, market research, and IT, Hypothese is used during strategy meetings. Consultants often use 'hypothesengetriebenes Arbeiten' (hypothesis-driven working), where they start with a potential solution and then look for data to support or refute it. This is seen as more efficient than aimless data gathering.

Die Polizei verfolgt momentan die Hypothese eines Raubmordes.

Finally, in everyday intellectual debates among friends—perhaps over a beer or coffee—using Hypothese signals that you are making a serious, logical point. It distinguishes your statement from a mere feeling. If you say, 'Ich habe die Hypothese, dass...', you are inviting the other person to engage in a logical counter-argument rather than just disagreeing with your emotions.

Documentaries and Science Communication: German public television (ARD, ZDF) produces high-quality documentaries (Dokumentationen) where scientists explain their work. The word Hypothese appears frequently here to explain the progress of human knowledge, such as in the 'Relativitätshypothese' (though usually called 'Relativitätstheorie' once proven).

Diese Dokumentation stellt verschiedene Hypothesen über den Untergang der Maya vor.

Das Gericht muss prüfen, ob die Hypothese der Verteidigung mit den Beweisen vereinbar ist.

Even advanced learners of German can stumble when using Hypothese. The errors usually fall into three categories: grammatical gender/declension, confusion with similar-sounding words, and 'false friends' logic from English. Avoiding these will make your German sound much more precise and professional.

Gender Confusion: The most common mistake is assigning the wrong gender. Because many abstract scientific terms in other languages are masculine or neuter, learners often say 'das Hypothese' or 'der Hypothese' (as nominative). It is always 'die Hypothese' (feminine). Remember: words ending in '-e' are very often feminine in German.
Hypothese vs. These: Learners often use Hypothese and These interchangeably. While related, they are different. A These (thesis/assertion) is a claim you intend to maintain and prove. A Hypothese is a tentative assumption you are willing to discard if the data doesn't fit. Using Hypothese when you mean a strong assertion can make you sound unsure of yourself.

Falsch: Ich habe ein Hypothese gemacht.
Richtig: Ich habe eine Hypothese aufgestellt.

Mistake: Using 'machen' instead of 'aufstellen' and the wrong gender.

Another frequent error involves the plural form. The plural is Hypothesen. Some learners try to use 'Hypotheses' (English plural) or 'Hypothese' (no ending). Always add the '-n' in the plural. Additionally, be careful with the preposition. In German, you have a hypothesis über (about) something or zu (regarding) a topic, but you 'test' it an (on) something.

Viele Studenten verwechseln eine Hypothese mit einer bloßen Vermutung.

Finally, watch out for the 'Theory vs. Hypothesis' trap. In casual English, people say 'I have a theory' when they really mean 'I have a hypothesis.' In German, using Theorie for a wild guess sounds much more incorrect than in English. If you haven't done the research yet, stick to Hypothese or Annahme.

The 'Falsifizieren' Trap: In English, 'to falsify' can mean 'to forge' (like a document). In German scientific contexts, falsifizieren only means 'to prove a hypothesis wrong.' If you want to say someone forged data, use fälschen. Don't say 'Er hat die Hypothese gefälscht' unless you mean he literally forged the paper it was written on!

Man kann eine Hypothese nicht endgültig beweisen, sondern nur vorläufig bestätigen.

Die Hypothese muss so präzise wie möglich formuliert sein.

German is a language of precision, and there are several words that overlap with Hypothese. Choosing the right one depends on the level of certainty, the context (academic vs. casual), and the logical status of the statement. Here is a breakdown of how Hypothese compares to its closest relatives.

Hypothese vs. Annahme: Annahme (assumption) is broader. It can be a prerequisite for a calculation or a simple belief. A Hypothese is specifically an assumption that you intend to test. You might make an Annahme just to simplify a problem, even if you know it's not perfectly true.
Hypothese vs. Vermutung: Vermutung (guess/suspicion) is much more informal. If you think it might rain, that's a Vermutung. If you propose that rainfall in this region is increasing due to specific atmospheric changes, that's a Hypothese. Vermutung is often used in daily life; Hypothese is used in the lab or the library.

Während die Hypothese wissenschaftlich fundiert ist, bleibt seine Aussage eine reine Vermutung.

Comparison: While the hypothesis is scientifically grounded, his statement remains a pure guess.

Another important word is These. As mentioned before, a These is a claim or a position. In a debate, you defend your These. In an experiment, you test your Hypothese. If you are writing an essay, you might start with a Fragestellung (research question), then move to a Hypothese, and finally conclude with a These that you have proven.

Wir arbeiten mit der Arbeitshypothese, dass die Mutation harmlos ist.

In mathematics and logic, you might encounter Axiom or Postulat. These are assumptions that are taken as true without proof, serving as the foundation for further reasoning. A Hypothese, by contrast, is something that requires proof. If a Hypothese is so well-supported that it is generally accepted, it becomes a Lehrmeinung (established doctrine) or a Theorie.

Spekulation: Spekulation (speculation) usually has a slightly negative connotation in German, suggesting a lack of evidence. If a scientist's Hypothese is too wild, colleagues might dismiss it as 'bloße Spekulation' (mere speculation).

Diese Hypothese stützt sich auf neue archäologische Funde.

Können Sie Ihre Hypothese empirisch belegen?

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Die vorliegende Dissertation exploriert die Hypothese der sozialen Determination."

Neutral

"Wir müssen erst eine Hypothese aufstellen, bevor wir mit dem Test beginnen."

Informal

"Meine Hypothese ist, dass er einfach keine Lust auf die Party hat."

Child friendly

"Eine Hypothese ist wie eine schlaue Rate-Idee für ein Experiment."

Slang

"Check mal meine Hypothese dazu ab."

Fun Fact

In ancient rhetoric, a 'hypothesis' was a specific case with names and places, whereas a 'thesis' was a general question without specific details. Today, the meanings have shifted significantly in science.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /hy.poˈteː.zə/

US /hy.poˈteɪ.zə/

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

Rhymes With

Synthese Prothese Antithese Exegese Diözese Polonäse Mayonnaise Genese

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'y' like an 'i' (it should be 'ü').
Pronouncing the 'th' like the English 'th' (it is just a 't' sound in German).
Stressing the first syllable.
Making the final 'e' silent.
Pronouncing the 's' as a sharp 'ss' instead of a voiced 'z'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate, but appears in difficult texts.

Writing 6/5

Requires knowledge of specific verbs like 'aufstellen' and 'widerlegen'.

Speaking 5/5

Pronunciation of 'y' and 'th' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 4/5

Clearly pronounced in formal speech, but can be lost in fast academic debates.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Idee Frage Wissenschaft glauben denken

Learn Next

Theorie Beweis Analyse Methodik Falsifikation

Advanced

Epistemologie Empirie Deduktion Induktion Paradigma

Grammar to Know

Nouns ending in -e are usually feminine.

Die Hypothese, die Analyse, die Theorie.

Separable verbs in the present tense.

Ich stelle eine Hypothese auf. (aufstellen)

Subordinate clauses with 'dass'.

Die Hypothese ist, dass es regnen wird.

Genitive case for possession/belonging.

Die Prüfung der Hypothese ist schwierig.

Adjective endings after the definite article.

Die neue Hypothese ist interessant.

Examples by Level

Die Hypothese ist neu.

The hypothesis is new.

Feminine noun 'die Hypothese'.

Hast du eine Hypothese?

Do you have a hypothesis?

Accusative case 'eine Hypothese'.

Meine Hypothese ist einfach.

My hypothesis is simple.

Possessive pronoun 'meine'.

Die Hypothese ist nicht richtig.

The hypothesis is not correct.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Ist das eine gute Hypothese?

Is that a good hypothesis?

Adjective ending '-e' for feminine nominative.

Wir lernen das Wort Hypothese.

We are learning the word hypothesis.

Direct object.

Die Hypothese steht im Buch.

The hypothesis is in the book.

Dative location 'im Buch'.

Hier ist meine Hypothese.

Here is my hypothesis.

Nominative case.

Wir schreiben eine Hypothese für die Schule.

We are writing a hypothesis for school.

Preposition 'für' + accusative.

Die Forscher haben eine interessante Hypothese.

The researchers have an interesting hypothesis.

Adjective 'interessante' (accusative feminine).

Was ist deine Hypothese zu diesem Thema?

What is your hypothesis on this topic?

Preposition 'zu' + dative.

Diese Hypothese ist sehr bekannt.

This hypothesis is very well-known.

Demonstrative pronoun 'diese'.

Können wir die Hypothese testen?

Can we test the hypothesis?

Modal verb 'können' + infinitive.

Ich glaube, deine Hypothese ist falsch.

I think your hypothesis is wrong.

Subordinate clause with 'glaube'.

Sie haben viele Hypothesen geprüft.

They have tested many hypotheses.

Plural 'Hypothesen'.

Die Hypothese hilft uns beim Experiment.

The hypothesis helps us with the experiment.

Verb 'helfen' + dative 'uns'.

Der Professor stellte eine neue Hypothese auf.

The professor proposed a new hypothesis.

Separable verb 'aufstellen' in Präteritum.

Es ist wichtig, die Hypothese genau zu formulieren.

It is important to formulate the hypothesis precisely.

Infinitiv mit 'zu'.

Die Ergebnisse bestätigen unsere Hypothese.

The results confirm our hypothesis.

Verb 'bestätigen' (to confirm).

Wir arbeiten mit der Hypothese, dass Wasser Leben braucht.

We are working with the hypothesis that water needs life (sic - life needs water).

Dative after 'mit'.

Diese Hypothese muss noch bewiesen werden.

This hypothesis still needs to be proven.

Passive voice with 'muss... werden'.

Welche Hypothese liegt deiner Arbeit zugrunde?

Which hypothesis forms the basis of your work?

Verb 'zugrunde liegen' + dative.

Ich habe eine Hypothese über das Verhalten von Tieren.

I have a hypothesis about the behavior of animals.

Preposition 'über' + accusative.

Die Hypothese wurde leider widerlegt.

The hypothesis was unfortunately refuted.

Passive voice 'wurde widerlegt'.

Eine wissenschaftliche Hypothese muss falsifizierbar sein.

A scientific hypothesis must be falsifiable.

Adjective 'falsifizierbar'.

Lassen Sie uns diese Arbeitshypothese vorerst beibehalten.

Let us maintain this working hypothesis for now.

Compound noun 'Arbeitshypothese'.

Die Studie stützt die Hypothese eines Zusammenhangs zwischen Stress und Krankheit.

The study supports the hypothesis of a connection between stress and illness.

Genitive 'eines Zusammenhangs'.

Es gibt kaum Beweise, die diese gewagte Hypothese untermauern.

There is little evidence to support this daring hypothesis.

Relative clause with 'die'.

Trotz intensiver Forschung konnte die Hypothese nicht verifiziert werden.

Despite intensive research, the hypothesis could not be verified.

Preposition 'trotz' + genitive.

Wir sollten verschiedene Hypothesen gegeneinander abwägen.

We should weigh different hypotheses against each other.

Verb 'abwägen' (to weigh/consider).

Die Hypothese, dass der Markt gesättigt ist, erwies sich als falsch.

The hypothesis that the market is saturated proved to be false.

Reflexive verb 'erwies sich'.

Welche methodischen Mängel weist die Hypothese auf?

What methodological flaws does the hypothesis have?

Verb 'aufweisen' (to exhibit/show).

Die Validität der Hypothese hängt von der Qualität der Primärquellen ab.

The validity of the hypothesis depends on the quality of the primary sources.

Genitive 'der Hypothese'.

Diese Hypothese entbehrt jeglicher empirischen Grundlage.

This hypothesis lacks any empirical basis.

Verb 'entbehren' + genitive.

Man muss zwischen einer heuristischen Hypothese und einer Tatsachenbehauptung differenzieren.

One must differentiate between a heuristic hypothesis and a factual assertion.

Preposition 'zwischen' + dative.

Die Hypothese wurde im Lichte neuerer Erkenntnisse revidiert.

The hypothesis was revised in light of more recent findings.

Fixed expression 'im Lichte'.

Es ist eine rein spekulative Hypothese ohne praktischen Nutzen.

It is a purely speculative hypothesis without practical use.

Adjective 'spekulative'.

Die Untersuchung zielt darauf ab, die Nullhypothese zu verwerfen.

The investigation aims to reject the null hypothesis.

Technical term 'Nullhypothese'.

Seine Hypothese besticht durch ihre bestechende Logik und Einfachheit.

His hypothesis impresses with its compelling logic and simplicity.

Verb 'bestechen durch'.

Inwiefern lässt sich diese Hypothese auf andere Kulturkreise übertragen?

To what extent can this hypothesis be transferred to other cultural spheres?

Reflexive passive 'lässt sich übertragen'.

Die erkenntnistheoretische Relevanz dieser Hypothese ist unumstritten.

The epistemological relevance of this hypothesis is undisputed.

Complex compound adjective.

Die Hypothese fungiert hierbei lediglich als epistemisches Hilfskonstrukt.

The hypothesis serves merely as an epistemic auxiliary construct here.

Adverb 'lediglich'.

Eine Ad-hoc-Hypothese dient oft dazu, eine Theorie vor der Falsifikation zu retten.

An ad hoc hypothesis often serves to save a theory from falsification.

Latin loan term 'Ad-hoc-Hypothese'.

Die Plausibilität der Hypothese korreliert stark mit den beobachteten Anomalien.

The plausibility of the hypothesis correlates strongly with the observed anomalies.

Verb 'korrelieren mit'.

Kritiker werfen dem Autor vor, seine Hypothese sei zirkulär begründet.

Critics accuse the author of his hypothesis being circularly justified.

Indirect speech with Konjunktiv I 'sei'.

Die Hypothese entfaltet ihre volle Erklärungskraft erst im interdisziplinären Kontext.

The hypothesis unfolds its full explanatory power only in an interdisciplinary context.

Noun 'Erklärungskraft'.

Es bedarf einer radikalen Neuausrichtung der Hypothesenbildung in diesem Fachbereich.

A radical realignment of hypothesis formation is required in this field.

Impersonal 'Es bedarf' + genitive.

Die Tragfähigkeit der Hypothese wurde durch die jüngsten Paradigmenwechsel erschüttert.

The viability of the hypothesis was shaken by recent paradigm shifts.

Passive voice with 'durch'.

Common Collocations

eine Hypothese aufstellen

eine Hypothese überprüfen

eine Hypothese widerlegen

eine Hypothese bestätigen

eine gewagte Hypothese

eine plausible Hypothese

die Arbeitshypothese

die Nullhypothese

eine Hypothese verwerfen

einer Hypothese zugrunde liegen

Common Phrases

reine Hypothese

— Something that is purely theoretical and has no basis in reality yet.

Bisher ist das alles reine Hypothese.

eine Hypothese stützen

— To provide evidence that makes a hypothesis more likely to be true.

Diese Funde stützen meine Hypothese.

von einer Hypothese ausgehen

— To start from a specific assumption.

Wir gehen von der Hypothese aus, dass alle Menschen gleich sind.

eine Hypothese formulieren

— To put a hypothesis into clear, precise words.

Können Sie Ihre Hypothese bitte klarer formulieren?

eine kühne Hypothese

— A very brave or risky hypothesis that challenges current knowledge.

Er ist bekannt für seine kühnen Hypothesen.

die Hypothese prüfen

— To check if a hypothesis is correct using methods.

Wir werden die Hypothese nächste Woche prüfen.

eine Hypothese untermauern

— To strengthen a hypothesis with strong arguments or data.

Der Autor versucht, seine Hypothese mit Zitaten zu untermauern.

eine Hypothese verifizieren

— To prove that a hypothesis is true (academic term).

Es ist schwer, diese Hypothese zu verifizieren.

eine Hypothese falsifizieren

— To prove that a hypothesis is false (academic term).

Ein einziges Gegenbeispiel kann die Hypothese falsifizieren.

die Zentralhypothese

— The main or most important hypothesis of a study.

Die Zentralhypothese der Studie wurde bestätigt.

Often Confused With

Hypothese vs Theorie

A theory is proven and broad; a hypothesis is unproven and specific. Don't say 'theory' for a guess in German.

Hypothese vs These

A thesis is a claim you want to defend; a hypothesis is an assumption you want to test.

Hypothese vs Prothese

A prosthesis (artificial limb). Sounds similar but has a completely different meaning!

Idioms & Expressions

"eine Hypothese ins Blaue hinein"

— A guess made without any evidence or foundation, 'into the blue'.

Das war eine Hypothese ins Blaue hinein, völlig ohne Daten.

informal

"auf wackeligen Hypothesen bauen"

— To base an argument or project on very weak assumptions.

Dein ganzer Plan baut auf wackeligen Hypothesen.

neutral

"eine Hypothese ad absurdum führen"

— To show that a hypothesis leads to a ridiculous conclusion, thus disproving it.

Mit diesem Beispiel führen wir seine Hypothese ad absurdum.

formal/academic

"Luftschlösser aus Hypothesen bauen"

— To create elaborate but unrealistic plans based on unproven ideas.

Hör auf, Luftschlösser aus Hypothesen zu bauen und fang an zu arbeiten.

informal

"an einer Hypothese festhalten"

— To refuse to give up a hypothesis even when evidence suggests otherwise.

Er hält starr an seiner Hypothese fest.

neutral

"eine Hypothese aus dem Ärmel schütteln"

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

Er schüttelt solche Hypothesen einfach aus dem Ärmel.

informal

"eine Hypothese zu Grabe tragen"

— To finally accept that a hypothesis is wrong and stop using it.

Nach dem Experiment mussten wir die Hypothese zu Grabe tragen.

informal/ironic

"eine Hypothese im Keim ersticken"

— To disprove a hypothesis immediately before it can be developed.

Die neuen Fakten erstickten seine Hypothese im Keim.

neutral

"die Hypothese auf den Prüfstand stellen"

— To subject a hypothesis to rigorous testing.

Wir müssen diese Hypothese jetzt auf den Prüfstand stellen.

neutral

"eine Hypothese unter die Lupe nehmen"

— To examine a hypothesis very closely.

Lassen Sie uns diese Hypothese mal genau unter die Lupe nehmen.

informal

Easily Confused

Hypothese vs Hypotenuse

Similar sound, both from Greek.

A Hypotenuse is the longest side of a right-angled triangle. A Hypothese is a scientific assumption.

Berechne die Hypotenuse des Dreiecks, aber prüfe die Hypothese des Experiments.

Hypothese vs Antithese

Contains the same root '-these'.

An Antithese is a counter-statement or opposite idea. A Hypothese is an initial assumption.

Zu jeder These gibt es eine Antithese.

Hypothese vs Synthese

Contains the same root '-these'.

A Synthese is the combination of different ideas into a new whole.

Die Synthese aus beiden Hypothesen ergab ein neues Modell.

Hypothese vs Hypothek

Starts with 'Hypo-'.

A Hypothek is a mortgage on a house. Nothing to do with science!

Wir müssen die Hypothek für unser Haus abbezahlen.

Hypothese vs Hysterie

Starts with 'Hy-'.

Hysterie is an exaggerated emotional state. A Hypothese is a logical assumption.

Keine Panik, das ist keine Hysterie, sondern eine logische Hypothese.

Sentence Patterns

Ich habe die Hypothese, dass [Nebensatz].

Ich habe die Hypothese, dass das Team gewinnen wird.

Die Hypothese [Genitiv] wurde durch [Akkusativ] bestätigt.

Die Hypothese des Forschers wurde durch die Studie bestätigt.

Es gilt, die Hypothese zu [Infinitiv].

Es gilt, die Hypothese kritisch zu prüfen.

Einer Hypothese [Dativ] widersprechen.

Die neuen Befunde widersprechen der gängigen Hypothese.

Unter der Hypothese, dass..., [Hauptsatz].

Unter der Hypothese, dass die Preise steigen, müssen wir jetzt kaufen.

Die Tragfähigkeit einer Hypothese hinterfragen.

Wir müssen die Tragfähigkeit dieser Hypothese ernsthaft hinterfragen.

Eine Hypothese zugunsten einer anderen verwerfen.

Die alte Theorie wurde zugunsten einer neuen Hypothese verworfen.

Das ist eine [Adjektiv] Hypothese.

Das ist eine gute Hypothese.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in academic, professional, and intellectual contexts. Rare in casual street slang.

Common Mistakes

Using 'das Hypothese' or 'der Hypothese' (as nominative). → die Hypothese
Hypothese is a feminine noun. Always use 'die' in the nominative singular.
Saying 'Ich mache eine Hypothese'. → Ich stelle eine Hypothese auf.
In German, you 'set up' (aufstellen) a hypothesis, you don't 'make' it.
Using 'Theorie' when you mean 'Hypothese'. → Hypothese
In German, 'Theorie' is much more formal and proven than in casual English. Use 'Hypothese' for unproven ideas.
Pronouncing 'th' like the English 'th'. → Pronounce it as 't'.
German 'th' is always a simple 't' sound. The 'h' is silent.
Plural 'Hypotheses'. → Hypothesen
The German plural ends in '-n', not '-s'.

Tips

Gender Memory

Remember that almost all German words ending in '-ese' (like Synthese, Analyse, Hypothese) are feminine. This makes it easy to remember 'die Hypothese'.

Academic Verbs

Instead of saying 'Ich denke die Hypothese ist wahr', use 'Die Ergebnisse verifizieren die Hypothese'. This will significantly boost your score in writing exams like TestDaF.

The 'Th' Trap

In German, 'th' is always pronounced as a simple 't'. Never use the English 'th' sound for Hypothese. It should sound like 'Hypo-teze'.

Avoid Repetition

If you write a long essay, alternate between 'Hypothese', 'Annahme', and 'Untersuchungsgegenstand' to make your text more varied and interesting.

Business Logic

In German meetings, using the word 'Hypothese' shows that you have a logical structure to your thoughts. It's a powerful word for persuasion.

Cognate Advantage

Since 'Hypothese' is so similar to 'hypothesis', focus your energy on learning the verbs that go with it (aufstellen, prüfen, widerlegen) rather than the meaning itself.

Scientific Method

A hypothesis should always be specific. Instead of 'Plants grow better with water', use 'Plants watered daily grow 20% faster than plants watered weekly'.

Dass-Clauses

Practice connecting 'Hypothese' with 'dass'. Example: 'Die Hypothese lautet, dass...' This is the most common way to explain what the hypothesis actually is.

Directness

Germans value 'Sachlichkeit' (objectivity). Using 'Hypothese' helps you stay objective by framing your ideas as things to be tested rather than personal opinions.

The Greek Root

Knowing that 'Hypo' means 'under' helps you remember it's an underlying assumption. This root is found in many other words like 'Hypothermie' (under-temperature).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Hypo-Thesis'. 'Hypo' means under. So a hypothesis is the foundation that sits *under* your final thesis. You need the foundation before you can build the house.

Visual Association

Imagine a scientist holding a giant question mark (?) and placing it underneath a laboratory table. The table is the 'thesis', and the question mark is the 'hypothese' supporting it.

Word Web

Wissenschaft Experiment Labor Theorie Beweis Annahme Logik Forschung

Challenge

Try to write three 'Wenn-Dann' (If-Then) sentences using the word 'Hypothese' today. For example: 'Meine Hypothese ist: Wenn ich mehr lerne, dann verstehe ich Deutsch besser.'

Word Origin

The word comes from the Ancient Greek word 'hypóthesis' (ὑπόθεσις). It entered the German language in the 16th century via Latin 'hypothesis'.

Original meaning: In Greek, it literally meant 'a placing under' or 'foundation' (hypo = under, thesis = placing/proposition).

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

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but avoid calling someone's deeply held belief a 'Hypothese' in a dismissive way, as it implies it is unproven and potentially wrong.

In English, 'hypothesis' is often replaced by 'theory' in casual talk ('I have a theory...'). In German, this is less common and can sound slightly uneducated. Stick to 'Hypothese' or 'Vermutung'.

Karl Popper's 'Logik der Forschung' (The Logic of Scientific Discovery) defines the modern use of the word. The 'Riemannsche Hypothese' is one of the most famous unsolved problems in mathematics. The 'Gaia-Hypothese' regarding the Earth as a self-regulating system.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Seminar

Was ist Ihre zentrale Hypothese?
Wie wollen Sie diese Hypothese prüfen?
Die Hypothese erscheint mir zu vage.
Gibt es alternative Hypothesen?

Scientific Lab

Die Hypothese wurde im Experiment bestätigt.
Wir müssen die Nullhypothese ablehnen.
Die Daten widersprechen der Hypothese.
Wir brauchen eine neue Arbeitshypothese.

Business Strategy

Unsere Hypothese ist, dass die Kunden mehr Bio-Produkte wollen.
Lassen Sie uns diese Hypothese am Markt testen.
Die Hypothese hat sich nicht bewahrheitet.
Welche Fakten stützen diese Hypothese?

Detective Story

Meine Hypothese zum Tathergang ist folgende...
Diese Hypothese erklärt alle Spuren.
Wir haben eine neue Hypothese zum Motiv.
Die Hypothese der Polizei war falsch.

Philosophy Discussion

Ist diese Hypothese überhaupt falsifizierbar?
Die Hypothese basiert auf falschen Voraussetzungen.
Das ist eine rein metaphysische Hypothese.
Wir müssen die Hypothese kritisch hinterfragen.

Conversation Starters

"Welche Hypothese hast du über die Zukunft der künstlichen Intelligenz?"

"Glaubst du, dass man jede Hypothese irgendwann beweisen kann?"

"Was war die kühnste Hypothese, die du je gehört hast?"

"Wie wichtig ist eine gute Hypothese für den Erfolg eines Projekts?"

"Hast du eine Hypothese, warum manche Menschen Sprachen schneller lernen als andere?"

Journal Prompts

Formuliere eine Hypothese über dein Leben in fünf Jahren. Wie könntest du sie heute schon testen?

Schreibe über eine wissenschaftliche Hypothese, die dich fasziniert. Warum ist sie wichtig?

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

Welche Arbeitshypothese nutzt du momentan für deine Karriere oder dein Studium?

Stelle eine Hypothese auf: Was würde passieren, wenn es kein Internet mehr gäbe?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Ja, 'Hypothese' ist im Deutschen immer feminin (die Hypothese). Das gilt für alle grammatikalischen Fälle. Zum Beispiel: 'Der Wert der Hypothese' (Genitiv) oder 'Ich folge der Hypothese' (Dative).

Eine Vermutung ist ein einfacher, oft unbegründeter Tipp im Alltag. Eine Hypothese ist formaler, wissenschaftlich begründet und muss testbar sein. In einer Prüfung sollten Sie immer 'Hypothese' verwenden, wenn es um Forschung geht.

Das am häufigsten verwendete Verb ist 'aufstellen'. Man sagt: 'Ich stelle eine Hypothese auf.' Andere wichtige Verben sind 'überprüfen', 'bestätigen' und 'widerlegen'.

Ja, aber es klingt sehr gebildet oder manchmal etwas ironisch. Wenn Sie sagen 'Meine Hypothese ist, dass der Kaffee heute schlechter schmeckt', behandeln Sie eine kleine Sache wie eine wissenschaftliche Untersuchung.

Der Plural ist 'Hypothesen'. Man hängt einfach ein '-n' an das Ende des Wortes an. Die Artikel ändern sich entsprechend zu 'die Hypothesen' (Nominativ/Akkusativ) und 'den Hypothesen' (Dativ).

Eine Arbeitshypothese ist eine vorläufige Annahme, die man nutzt, um mit einer Untersuchung zu beginnen, auch wenn man noch nicht genug Beweise hat. Sie dient als Werkzeug, um den Prozess in Gang zu setzen.

Nein. Eine Hypothese ist der erste Schritt (unbewiesen). Eine Theorie ist ein System von Aussagen, das bereits viele Tests bestanden hat und weithin akzeptiert ist. Eine Hypothese kann Teil einer Theorie werden.

Das 'y' wird wie ein deutsches 'ü' ausgesprochen. Man rundet die Lippen wie für ein 'u', sagt aber 'i'. Es klingt nicht wie das englische 'y' in 'sky' oder 'happy'.

Es bedeutet, dass es möglich sein muss, die Hypothese durch ein Experiment oder eine Beobachtung zu widerlegen. Wenn man eine Hypothese nicht testen kann, gilt sie nicht als wissenschaftlich.

Ja, das Adjektiv lautet 'hypothetisch'. Es bedeutet 'auf einer Hypothese beruhend' oder 'nur angenommen'. Zum Beispiel: 'Das ist ein hypothetisches Szenario' (Das ist ein nur angenommenes Szenario).