German Conversation · Level 112
45 words
German word
misstrauisch
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈmɪstʁaʊ̯ɪʃ/
Meaning
- adjectivesuspicious
Example
Eine misstrauische Kundin fragte nach dem Preis.
A suspicious customer asked about the price.
More examples
Die Kundin blieb misstrauisch und verlangte einen Beleg.
The customer remained suspicious and demanded a receipt.
Core concept
A person treats another person's words and motives as unproven until they withstand close questioning.
Common phrases
misstrauische Blicke
suspicious looks
misstrauisch gegenüber Fremden
suspicious of strangers
mit misstrauischem Blick
with a suspicious look
Similar words
skeptisch: Unwilling to accept information or explanations without checking them carefully.
argwöhnisch: Alert to possible hidden malice or ulterior motives based on small clues.
Definition in German
So, dass man anderen nicht leicht vertraut und ihre Absichten hinterfragt
Word origin
Misstrauisch comes from the German verb misstrauen, meaning to distrust, with -isch forming an adjective for a related quality.
Usage tips
- Misstrauisch usually suggests distrust, while vorsichtig more generally describes caution without doubt about another person's honesty or intentions.
Other meanings
- waryadjective
Opposites
- vertrauensvolltrustingadjective
- arglosguilelessadjective
Related words
- das Misstrauendistrustnoun