Definition
设法 (shè fǎ) means 'to try to find a way' – it emphasizes the effort to figure out a method or solution. It differs from 尝试 (cháng shì, 'to try out'), which focuses on the act of trying itself, and from 试图 (shì tú, 'to attempt'), which is more neutral and formal. Unlike 企图 (qǐ tú), 设法 has no negative connotation.
verb
to try to find a wayto attempt (to do something)
Examples
- 设法。Wǒmen bìxū shè fǎ gǎishàn zhège qíngkuàng.We must find a way to improve this situation.
- 设法。Tā shè fǎ bú ràng biérén fāxiàn tā de jìhuà.He tried not to let others discover his plan.
- ，设法。Wèile shěng qián, tā shè fǎ shǎo mǎi bú bìyào de dōngxi.To save money, she tried to buy fewer unnecessary things.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.