Zweifel
/ˈtsvaɪ̯fəl/masculine
The English phrase 'doubt' is translated into German as Zweifel.
Zweifel is a masculine noun meaning disbelief or uncertainty about something.
Meaning: disbelief or uncertainty (about something) (noun)
Which one should you use?
When expressing the action of doubting, German offers two different verbs. Use the transitive verb bezweifeln when you are doubting a specific fact, person or claim, such as 'I doubt his story'. In contrast, use the intransitive verb zweifeln to express a more general state of doubt, often paired with a preposition.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Zweifel is a masculine noun. When using the verb zweifeln to mean doubting something, you must use the preposition an followed by the dative case.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtsvaɪ̯fəl/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to use the verb zweifeln transitively (to doubt something), but in German, you must use the preposition an plus the dative case to express doubting something.
Did you know?
- The word Zweifel is a doublet of the German word Doppel, which means 'double'.
- In German philosophy, particularly in the works of Immanuel Kant, the concept of Zweifel is often treated as a necessary catalyst for critical thinking.
- When a German speaker says ich zweifle an dir, it can imply a lack of trust in a person's character rather than just a doubt about a specific statement.
Examples in context
- Zweifele nicht an dir!Don't doubt yourself.Tatoeba #12478885 by Waldelfe, translation #10836230 by Amastan
- Es gibt keinen Zweifel.There's no doubt.Tatoeba #452129 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2361 by CK
- Ich bin voller Zweifel.I am full of doubt.Tatoeba #820555 by Esperantostern, translation #1771995 by gone2bacolod
- Ich bezweifle, dass das möglich ist.I doubt that is possible.
- Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob wir das schaffen können.I am not sure if we can manage that.
- Da habe ich so meine Bedenken.I have my doubts about that.
- 181 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are discussing a new business plan.
- SarahHast du Zweifel an der Idee?Do you have doubts about the idea?
- FelixIch habe kaum Zweifel.I have hardly any doubts.
- SarahDas ist gut zu hören.That is good to hear.
- FelixDein Plan ist sehr solide.Your plan is very solid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “doubt” translations and entries Zweifel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Zweifel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
