German word

Zweifel

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsvaɪ̯fl̩/

Meaning

  • masculine noundoubt

Example

Ich habe Zweifel an seiner Geschichte.

I have doubts about his story.

Illustration for Zweifel (doubt)

More examples

Ich äußerte meine Zweifel während des Meetings.

I expressed my doubts during the meeting.

Core concept

An inner balance tilts between accepting a claim and holding back trust.

Common phrases

  • Zweifel äußern

    express doubts

  • Zweifel ausräumen

    dispel doubts

  • keine Zweifel haben

    have no doubts

Similar words

Unsicherheit: An uneasy feeling caused by not knowing what is right or certain.
Misstrauen: A feeling that someone's words or actions cannot be trusted.
Bedenken: Concern that a plan or proposal may involve problems.

Definition in German

Ein Zustand von Unsicherheit, in dem man die Vertrauenswürdigkeit oder Richtigkeit einer Sache in Frage stellt.

Word origin

Zweifel descends from Old High German zwīfal, related to the Germanic root behind zwei, and originally conveyed a division into two possibilities.

Usage tips

  • The usual construction is Zweifel an + dative, as in Zweifel an seiner Geschichte, rather than a direct English-style object.

Opposites

Related words

  • zweifellosundoubtedlyadverb
  • zweifelnddoubtingadjective

Word lists with this word