通 説(つうせつ)

つうせつ

noun

prevailing view; accepted theory

formalacademiccognition

1. prevailing view; accepted theory; common interpretation

A widely held opinion or established interpretation within a field. Often used in academic, legal, or historical contexts to refer to the mainstream view as opposed to minority or revisionist positions.

通説(つうせつ)では否定(ひてい)されている。

It is rejected by the prevailing view.

この問題(もんだい)については通説(つうせつ)と異(こと)なる見解(けんかい)もある。

There are also views on this issue that differ from the accepted theory.

新(あたら)しい発見(はっけん)により、長年(ながねん)の通説(つうせつ)が覆(くつがえ)される可能性(かのうせい)が出(で)てきた。

A new discovery has raised the possibility that the long-standing accepted theory may be overturned.

Used in academic and intellectual discourse to refer to the mainstream or consensus position.

Common collocations

通説(つうせつ)に従(したが)う (follow the accepted theory)
通説(つうせつ)を覆(くつがえ)す (overturn the prevailing view)
通説(つうせつ)に反(はん)する (go against the prevailing view)
通説(つうせつ)では (according to the prevailing view)

Similar words

定説(ていせつ) is a more firmly established theory that is considered settled fact, while 通説(つうせつ) is the currently prevailing view that may still be debated.

Related Words

Synonym: 定説(ていせつ) (established theory)

Antonym: 異説(いせつ) (dissenting view)

Compare: 俗説(ぞくせつ) (popular belief)

general

Added 2026.3.2 14:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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