hipótesis
nounCEFR B2
What does “hipótesis” mean in English?
hypothesis — a proposed explanation to be tested through research
hypothesis — a proposed explanation to be tested through research (formular una hipótesis; hipótesis de trabajo)
Example sentences
Los investigadores formularon una hipótesis que será sometida a prueba mediante experimentos controlados.
The researchers formulated a hypothesis that will be tested through controlled experiments.
La hipótesis de trabajo más aceptada es que el virus mutó antes de cruzar la barrera de especie.
The most widely accepted working hypothesis is that the virus mutated before crossing the species barrier.
Los resultados no confirman la hipótesis inicial, lo que obliga a replantear el diseño del estudio.
The results do not confirm the initial hypothesis, which requires the study design to be reconsidered.
How to use it
La hipótesis (noun, feminine; invariable plural: las hipótesis) means 'hypothesis' — a proposed explanation not yet proven. Key collocations: formular/plantear/verificar/contrastar una hipótesis; hipótesis de trabajo (working hypothesis); hipótesis nula/alternativa; confirmar/rechazar la hipótesis. Distinguish from teoría (an established, tested framework) and suposición (an informal assumption). The plural las hipótesis does not add -s (already ends in -s).
Common mistake
La hipótesis is feminine — do not say *el hipótesis. The plural is las hipótesis (no additional -s). Hipótesis (untested) ≠ teoría (tested and accepted). 'To test a hypothesis' = contrastar/verificar/poner a prueba una hipótesis. Do not say *comprobar la hipótesis when you mean 'to test it' — comprobar implies confirming, not testing.