German word

zweifeln

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtsvaɪ̯fl̩n/

Meaning

  • verbdoubt

Example

Ich zweifle an seinem Bericht.

I doubt his report.

Illustration for zweifeln (doubt)

More examples

Viele Leser zweifeln an der Glaubwürdigkeit des Autors.

Many readers doubt the author's credibility.

Core concept

A person cannot settle which of two readings of a situation deserves trust.

Common phrases

  • an der Glaubwürdigkeit zweifeln

    doubt the credibility

  • an den Quellen zweifeln

    doubt the sources

  • an sich zweifeln

    doubt oneself

Similar words

bezweifeln: Consider a presented claim or piece of information to be false.
anzweifeln: Challenge the credibility or soundness of something.
misstrauen: Regard someone's behavior or character with distrust.
hinterfragen: Examine the assumptions and reasons behind something critically.

Definition in German

Nicht überzeugt sein von der Wahrheit oder Zuverlässigkeit einer Sache und sie in Frage stellen.

Word origin

The German verb is related to Zweifel and ultimately to the old Germanic word zwīfal, referring to a divided judgment.

Usage tips

  • The pattern daran zweifeln, dass introduces a clause, while an etwas zweifeln uses a noun phrase after an.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word