hypothetical
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hypothetical
Based on an assumption or supposition; not real or proven, but assumed only for the purpose of a discussion or thought experiment.
Rein hypothetisch gefragt: Was würdest du tun, wenn du eine Million Euro finden würdest?
Purely hypothetically: What would you do if you found a million euros?
The adjective 'hypothetisch' (hypothetical) belongs to the word family of 'die Hypothese' (the hypothesis). A hypothesis is an unproven assumption, so 'hypothetisch' means something like 'based on an assumption.'
Seine ganze Argumentation basiert auf einer Hypothese.
His entire argument is based on a hypothesis.
'Hypothetisch' (hypothetical) is very often used to introduce an unreal or assumed situation. The sentence that describes the consequence is then typically in the Konjunktiv II.
Nehmen wir einmal hypothetisch an, du hättest unendlich viel Zeit. Was würdest du dann tun?
Let's hypothetically assume you had an infinite amount of time. What would you do then?
To emphasize that something is only a thought experiment, 'hypothetisch' (hypothetical) is often combined with adverbs like 'rein' (purely) or 'nur' (only). The expression 'rein hypothetisch' (purely hypothetically) is especially common.
Das ist jetzt nur eine hypothetische Frage, aber was wäre, wenn wir umziehen würden?
This is just a hypothetical question, but what if we moved?
really
'wirklich' and 'hypothetisch' differ according to whether something is real or only assumed. You use 'wirklich' when something actually is that way or happens. You use 'hypothetisch' when you are talking about a possibility that is only assumed for a conversation or a thought. The word fits especially well in discussions, plans, or questions like: What if ...?
In der Schule besprechen sie einen hypothetischen Fall.
At school, they are discussing a hypothetical case.
Am Abend merkte Julian, dass das Angebot wirklich günstig war.
In the evening, Julian realized that the offer really was a good deal.