doute
/dut/masculine
The English word "doubt" is translated into French as doute (noun).
The noun doute refers to disbelief or uncertainty about something. To express that you are feeling uncertain, use the phrase avoir un doute (to have a doubt). In French, you use the verb avoir (to have) instead of être (to be) for this expression.
Meaning: disbelief or uncertainty (about something) (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun doute is masculine and is used with the indefinite article un (un doute).
How do you pronounce it?
/dut/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using the related verb douter to express disbelief in someone or something, you must use the preposition de (douter de).
Did you know?
- In French, the word doute is often used in the expression sans doute, which can be confusing because it frequently means 'perhaps' rather than 'without a doubt'.
- In French philosophy, particularly with René Descartes, the 'methodical doubt' le doute méthodique is a formal tool used to reach absolute certainty.
- The expression lever le doute literally means 'to lift the doubt', which is the French way of saying 'to clear up' or 'to resolve' an uncertainty.
Examples in context
- Sans aucun doute !Without a doubt!This sentence is useful for learning how to say "Without a doubt!" using doute.Tatoeba #1157260 by sacredceltic, translation #20042 by fishda
- Je n'en doute pas.I don't doubt it.This sentence is useful for expressing "I don't doubt it" using doute.Tatoeba #7415209 by lbdx, translation #2271834 by CK
- Ne doutez jamais !Never doubt!This sentence is useful for the imperative "Never doubt!" using doute.Tatoeba #10514635 by pkill, translation #6557996 by carlosalberto
- Je doute que cette solution soit la meilleure.I doubt that this solution is the best.
- Ils mettent en doute les résultats de l'étude scientifique.They cast doubt on the results of the scientific study.
- Je me demande si je vais réussir cet examen.I wonder if I will pass this exam.
- Je suis sceptique quant à cette hypothèse.I am skeptical about this hypothesis.
- 250 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are discussing a plan for the weekend.
- ManonTu penses qu'il va pleuvoir samedi ?Do you think it will rain Saturday?
- LucasJ'ai un petit doute sur la météo.I have a slight doubt about the weather.
- ManonC'est pour ça que je m'inquiète.That is why I am worried.
- LucasIl n'y a aucun doute, on reporte tout.There is no doubt, we are postponing everything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “doubt” translations and entries doute, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
