Japanese word

疑問

Pronunciation

Romajigimon

Meaning

  • noundoubt

Example

その答えには疑問があります。so no kota e ni wa gi mon ga a ri ma su

I have doubts about that answer.

Illustration for 疑問 (doubt)

More examples

その説明を何度読んでも、疑問が残ります。so no setsu mei o nan do yo n de mo gi mon ga noko ri ma su

Even after reading the explanation several times, I still have doubts.

Core concept

Expresses uncertainty about something, often as a question seeking an answer or as doubt about whether it is true.

Common phrases

  • 疑問を持つgi mon o mo tsu

    have doubts

  • 疑問に思うgi mon ni omo u

    wonder about

  • 疑問が残るgi mon ga noko ru

    doubts remain

Similar words

質問shitsumon: A request made to obtain information or an answer.
疑いutagai: Uncertainty about whether something is true or correct.

Definition in Japanese

物事について確かな判断がつかず、答えや説明を求める気持ちや、その対象となる点。mono goto ni tsu i te tashi ka na han dan ga tsu ka zu kota e ya setsu mei o moto me ru ki mo chi ya so no tai shō to na ru ten

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 疑問 (gimon) combines 疑 (gi, "doubt") with 問 (mon, "ask"), giving the idea of an unanswered question or uncertainty.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 疑問 (gimon) covers both a question that seeks information and doubt about an answer, so context determines which English word fits.

Other meanings

  • questionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 疑問視gimonshiregard as questionableverb

Word lists with this word