Meaning and Usage
The verb 疑う (うたがう) means "to doubt" or "to distrust." It is commonly used when someone questions the truth or reliability of information, a person's words, or actions. It can express skepticism or suspicion.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 疑う in contexts involving trust, such as doubting someone's honesty, questioning evidence, or suspecting someone's motives. It is a neutral to slightly formal verb and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese.
Collocations and Patterns
- 疑う理由 (うたがうりゆう): reason to doubt
- 疑う気持ち (うたがうきもち): feeling of suspicion
- 疑う余地がない (うたがうよちがない): no room for doubt
- 疑う声が上がる (うたがうこえがあがる): voices of doubt arise
Nuances and Tips
When you use 疑う, you imply that you are not fully convinced or you suspect something might be false or untrustworthy. It is stronger than just being unsure; it carries a sense of mistrust. Avoid confusing 疑う with simple uncertainty verbs like 迷う (まよう), which means "to hesitate" or "to be lost." 疑う specifically relates to doubting truth or honesty.
Use 疑う when you want to express skepticism about facts, statements, or intentions in a clear and direct way.