Japanese word

危ぶむ

Pronunciation

Romajiayabumu

Meaning

  • verbdoubt

Example

皆が計画の成功を危ぶんでいます。mina ga kei kaku no sei kō o aya bu n de i ma su

Everyone doubts the plan will succeed.

Illustration for 危ぶむ (doubt)

More examples

住民は、工場の安全を危ぶみました。jū min wa kō jō no an zen o aya bu mi ma shi ta

The residents feared for the factory's safety.

Core concept

It marks a hoped-for outcome as uncertain and potentially bad, so it covers both doubting success and fearing failure.

Common phrases

  • 成否を危ぶむsei hi o aya bu mu

    doubt whether it will succeed

  • 将来を危ぶむshō rai o aya bu mu

    fear for the future

  • 身の安全を危ぶむmi no an zen o aya bu mu

    fear for one's safety

Similar words

危惧するkigusuru: To fear that a plan, situation, or result may lead to trouble.
懸念するkenensuru: To feel concern that a situation or outcome may become problematic.
案じるanjiru: To worry about a person, situation, or future result.
疑うutagau: To think that something may not be true, sound, or successful.

Definition in Japanese

成功や実現が難しいのではないかと心配し、その実現を疑うこと。sei kō ya jitsu gen ga muzuka shi i no de wa na i ka to shin pai shi so no jitsu gen o utaga u ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 危ぶむ (ayabumu) is formed from the older verb 危ぶ (ayabu, "to regard as dangerous") with the suffix む (mu).

Usage tips

  • In news writing, 危ぶむ (ayabumu) often describes concern that a plan, recovery, or other favorable outcome may fail rather than simple disbelief.

Other meanings

  • fearverb
  • be apprehensive aboutverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word