Hipotético

Hipotético is an adjective used in Spanish to describe something related to, or based on, a hypothesis. It can refer to ideas, situations, or statements that are assumed for the purposes of argument, analysis, or experimentation and that have not been proven or observed directly.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from Greek hypothetikos, through Latin hypotheticus, formed from hypo- “under” and titheinai “to place.” In Spanish, the adjective agrees in gender and number (hipotético/hipotética, hipotéticos/hipotéticas) and is common in academic, scientific, and philosophical language.

In logic and philosophy: hipotético is used in expressions such as silogismo hipotético (hypothetical syllogism), a form of reasoning where conditional statements lead from one to another, typically: if p then q; if q then r; therefore if p then r. The word also appears in reference to hypotheses used to structure proofs or theories.

In grammar and linguistics: oraciones hipotéticas (hypothetical or conditional sentences) express situations contingent on certain conditions. Spanish grammar distinguishes several types of conditional sentences, ranging from realis or probable conditions to irrealis or counterfactual ones, often illustrated with si-cláuses and verb forms that denote possibility, likelihood, or imagined outcomes.

Other uses: in science, journalism, and everyday language, hipotético describes scenarios or models proposed for analysis, simulation, or debate, not yet confirmed by evidence. The term is frequently paired with “hipótesis” to differentiate a proposed assumption from established knowledge.

See also: hipótesis, silogismo hipotético, oración condicional, condicionalidad.