命題(めいだい)

めいだい
noun
proposition; thesis; assignment
formaleducationcognition
1. proposition; thesis; statement to be proven
In logic, philosophy, or mathematics, a statement or assertion that can be evaluated as true or false.
この命題(めいだい)は正(ただ)しい。
This proposition is correct.
命題(めいだい)の真偽(しんぎ)を検証(けんしょう)する。
To verify the truth or falsity of a proposition.
「人間(にんげん)は自由(じゆう)であるべきだ」というのは哲学(てつがく)の大(おお)きな命題(めいだい)の一(ひと)つだ。
"Humans should be free" is one of the great propositions of philosophy.
2. assignment; task; challenge to be addressed
A topic or issue that is given or set before someone to address or solve. Often used for tasks or challenges in intellectual or creative contexts.
難(むずか)しい命題(めいだい)を与(あた)えられた。
I was given a difficult assignment.
環境(かんきょう)保護(ほご)は現代(げんだい)社会(しゃかい)の大(おお)きな命題(めいだい)だ。
Environmental protection is a major challenge of modern society.
作家(さっか)に与(あた)えられた命題(めいだい)は「未来(みらい)の日本(にほん)」というテーマだった。
The assignment given to the writer was the theme of "Japan's Future."

Composed of 命(めい) (command, decree) and 題(だい) (topic, subject). Originally meant a topic that is given (命(めい)じられた題(だい)), hence the two senses: a formal proposition and an assigned topic.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 課題(かだい): task, issue — more everyday, often homework or work tasks
  • 命題(めいだい): proposition — more academic, used in logic and intellectual contexts
  • テーマ: theme — a subject or topic, less formal
  • 論題(ろんだい): debate topic — specifically a topic for argument or discussion

Related Words

Compare: 課題(かだい) (task, issue)
Compare: テーマ (theme)
Compare: 定理(ていり) (theorem)
general
Added 2026.4.3 1:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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