German word

bezweifeln

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈtsvaɪ̯fl̩n/

Meaning

  • verbdoubt

Example

Ich bezweifle seine Geschichte.

I doubt his story.

Illustration for bezweifeln (doubt)

More examples

Ich bezweifle die Echtheit des Dokuments.

I doubt the authenticity of the document.

Core concept

A finger points at one statement while withholding belief in its truth.

Common phrases

  • die Aussage bezweifeln

    doubt the statement

  • seine Motive bezweifeln

    doubt his motives

  • die Echtheit bezweifeln

    doubt the authenticity

Similar words

zweifeln: Lack certainty about whether something is true.
anzweifeln: Challenge a claim or evidence by suspecting it is false.
misstrauen: Regard someone as untrustworthy or not fully honest.
hinterfragen: Critically examine the reasons or assumptions behind something.

Definition in German

bezweifeln bedeutet, etwas ausdrücklich für nicht glaubwürdig zu halten und oft ein direktes Objekt zu verlangen.

Word origin

German formed bezweifeln from the inherited verb zweifeln with the prefix be-, which makes the doubt act directly on an object.

Usage tips

  • The related construction an etwas zweifeln uses an with the dative, while bezweifeln places the thing doubted in the accusative.

Other meanings

  • questionverb
  • disbelieveverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word