提出研究假设

You use this phrase when you are at the beginning of a project or an experiment. It usually follows the verb 提出 (tíchū), which means to put forward or raise. You can say something like, 'Before we start the survey, we need to 提出研究假设.' It sounds very structured and logical. If you use it in a casual setting, you are likely being a bit of a nerd or making a joke about being overly analytical.

This is a staple in university classrooms, research labs, and corporate strategy meetings. If you are writing a thesis, this is your bread and butter. It is also great for business contexts where you are trying to solve a complex problem. Use it when you want to sound rigorous and systematic. It tells people, 'I'm not just winging it; I have a plan.'

Do not use this when you are just making a wild guess about what to eat for dinner. If you say to your friend, 'I 提出研究假设 that the pizza will be good,' they will probably think you have spent too much time in the library. It is too heavy for simple, everyday decisions. Avoid it in highly emotional or romantic moments unless you are trying to be funny by being intentionally cold and clinical.

In modern China, there is a massive emphasis on scientific development and academic rigor. This phrase reflects the Western scientific method that has become the standard in Chinese higher education. It represents the shift from traditional intuitive learning to a more structured, empirical approach. Being able to 'propose a hypothesis' is seen as a sign of a well-educated, modern professional.

You might hear 设定假设 (shèdìng jiǎshè), which means 'to set a hypothesis,' or 建立模型 (jiànlì móxíng), which means 'to build a model.' If you want to sound even more academic, you could use 假说 (jiǎshuō) instead of 假设, though 假设 is much more common in general research contexts.