Spanish Conversation · Level 12
90 words
Spanish word
desconfianza
Pronunciation
IPA/deskonˈfjanθa/
Meaning
- feminine noundistrust
Example
Muestra desconfianza hacia los desconocidos.
He shows distrust toward strangers.
More examples
Su desconfianza aumentó después de la estafa.
His distrust increased after the scam.
Core concept
A handshake that stops before contact.
Common phrases
mostrar desconfianza
show distrust
tener desconfianza
have distrust
Similar words
sospecha: Suspect someone may be hiding something or acting dishonestly.
duda: Lack confidence in a judgment or in the truth of a claim.
recelo: Act cautiously and avoid trusting someone easily.
Definition in Spanish
Sentimiento o actitud de no confiar en alguien o algo, acompañado de recelo ante sus intenciones o veracidad.
Word origin
Formed by the negative prefix des- and confianza 'trust', where confianza derives from Latin confidere 'to trust', hence desconfianza denotes not trusting someone or something.
Usage tips
- Common collocations are mostrar desconfianza and tener desconfianza hacia, and speakers often add a reason after those phrases.
Other meanings
- misgivingnoun
- suspicionnoun
Opposites
- confianzatrustnoun
Related words
- desconfiardistrustverb
- desconfiadodistrustfuladjective