设法

設法

shèfǎ

verb HSK 7-9 #4,189

Meanings

Literally 'devise a method' — to try to find a way to do something.

我们得设法解决这个问题。

Wǒmen děi shèfǎ jiějué zhège wèntí.

We must find a way to solve this problem.

他设法逃出了火灾现场。

Tā shèfǎ táo chū le huǒzāi xiànchǎng.

He managed to escape from the fire scene.

grammar

设法 is always followed by a verb phrase: 设法 + V. It implies active effort to find a solution.

usage

Compare with 想办法 (xiǎng bànfǎ) which is more colloquial. 设法 is slightly more formal.

设 shè

法 fǎ