German word

Verdacht

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈdaxt/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsuspicion

Example

Ich habe den Verdacht, dass er die Wahrheit verschweigt.

I suspect that he is hiding the truth.

Illustration for Verdacht (suspicion)

More examples

Der Nachbar stand unter Verdacht, das Paket gestohlen zu haben.

The neighbor was under suspicion of having stolen the package.

Core concept

A mental question mark hangs over a person or situation while the available facts remain incomplete.

Common phrases

  • unter Verdacht stehen

    be under suspicion

  • einen Verdacht hegen

    harbor suspicion

  • einen Verdacht äußern

    express suspicion

Similar words

Vermutung: An uncertain belief formed from limited evidence.
Zweifel: Uncertainty about whether something is true or how it will turn out.
Misstrauen: An attitude of not trusting someone or something.
Verdächtigung: An accusation that someone has done something wrong.

Definition in German

Subjektive Vermutung oder Zweifel, oft ohne sichere Beweise; Gefühl, dass etwas nicht stimmt.

Word origin

Middle High German verdāht developed from a form related to denken and acquired the modern sense of an unfavorable suspicion or supposition.

Usage tips

  • The pattern Verdacht auf + accusative names what is suspected, as in der Verdacht auf einen Betrug.

Opposites

Related words

  • verdächtigensuspectverb
  • Verdächtigersuspectnoun
  • Verdachtsanzeigesuspicion reportnoun

Word lists with this word