Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hypothesis'

English Word: hypothesis

Key Russian Translations:

• гипотеза [ɡʲɪˈpotʲɪzə] - [Formal, Academic]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, educational, and formal discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of abstract concepts and basic Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with intermediate proficiency)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гипотеза: [ɡʲɪˈpotʲɪzə]

Note on гипотеза: The stress falls on the third syllable ('po-'). Palatalization of the 'g' sound (as in 'yes' in English) can be challenging for beginners. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гипотеза - Used in scientific, academic, or formal contexts to denote a testable proposition; often employed in research and discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Ученые выдвинули новую гипотезу о происхождении Вселенной.

  Scientists proposed a new hypothesis about the origin of the universe.

• Эта гипотеза нуждается в дополнительных экспериментах для подтверждения.

  This hypothesis requires additional experiments for verification.

• В своей лекции профессор обсудил гипотезу Дарвина.

  In his lecture, the professor discussed Darwin's hypothesis.

• Гипотеза о глобальном потеплении стала основой для международных соглашений.

  The hypothesis on global warming became the basis for international agreements.

• Студенты должны сформулировать гипотезу для своего исследовательского проекта.

  Students must formulate a hypothesis for their research project.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гипотеза" is a feminine noun (1st declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It changes based on case, number, and gender agreements. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • предположение (predpolozheniye) - A general assumption, often less formal than гипотеза.
  • теория (teoriya) - A more developed idea, but can overlap in scientific contexts; implies broader scope.
• Antonyms:
  • факт (fakt) - Established truth, as opposed to a tentative idea.
  • доказательство (dokazatelstvo) - Evidence or proof that confirms or refutes a hypothesis.

Related Phrases:

• научная гипотеза (nauchnaya gipoteza) - Scientific hypothesis; Refers to a hypothesis in a research context.
• проверить гипотезу (proverit' gipotezu) - To test a hypothesis; Common in experimental settings.
• гипотеза Дарвина (gipoteza Darvina) - Darwin's hypothesis; Used to reference specific historical ideas.

Usage Notes:

"Гипотеза" directly corresponds to the English "hypothesis" in formal and academic English, but it is a feminine noun in Russian, so adjectives and verbs must agree in gender (e.g., "новая гипотеза" for "new hypothesis"). It is primarily used in written or spoken contexts involving science, philosophy, or research. Avoid using it in casual conversations; opt for simpler terms like "предположение" for everyday assumptions. When choosing between translations, use "гипотеза" for precise, evidence-based propositions, and be mindful of case changes in sentences (e.g., "Я рассматриваю эту гипотезу" - I am considering this hypothesis).

Common Errors:

• Confusing "гипотеза" with "теория": Learners often misuse "гипотеза" as a synonym for "theory," but in Russian, "теория" implies a more established concept. Incorrect: "Это теория Эйнштейна" when meaning a preliminary idea. Correct: "Это гипотеза Эйнштейна на раннем этапе." Explanation: "Гипотеза" is tentative, while "теория" is proven.

• Forgetting noun declensions: English speakers might say "о гипотеза" instead of "о гипотезе" in the prepositional case. Incorrect: "Я думаю о гипотеза." Correct: "Я думаю о гипотезе." Explanation: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "гипотеза" is heavily associated with the country's strong tradition in science and mathematics, influenced by figures like Mendeleev and Pavlov. It often carries a connotation of intellectual rigor and is frequently used in educational settings, reflecting Russia's emphasis on STEM fields. However, in everyday language, it may evoke a sense of formality or even skepticism toward unproven ideas, as Russians value empirical evidence in discussions.

Related Concepts:

• теория (theory)
• эксперимент (experiment)
• доказательство (proof)
• исследование (research)