How to say "hypothetical" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 仮言的かげんてきna-adjectiveA technical term from logic, covering 'hypothetical' in the sense of conditional, if–then propositions; it appears in logic and philosophy writing and is seldom the right word for everyday hypothetical scenarios.
- 仮定的かていてきna-adjectiveThe choice for 'hypothetical' in its ordinary sense of something assumed or supposed rather than actual, as in a hypothetical question or scenario; it also covers the senses 'theoretical' and 'presumptive'.
For 'hypothetical' in the ordinary sense of assumed or supposed, 仮定的 is the word; 仮言的 is logic terminology for hypothetical conditional (if–then) propositions — both are less common choices.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
