How to Say "Doubt" in Japanese

疑い

utagai[ɯ̟ta̠ɡa̠i]

The English word 'doubt' is expressed in Japanese as 疑い (utagai).

疑い refers to the concept of disbelief or uncertainty regarding something.

Meaning: disbelief or uncertainty (about something) (noun)

Related words

The noun 疑い is the nominalized form of the verb 疑う.

utagai

While 疑い means doubt, the Japanese phrase 疑心暗鬼 (gishin anki) literally means 'doubting mind creates demons', describing how paranoia creates imaginary fears.
While 疑い expresses disbelief, it can also be used in medical contexts to mean a 'suspected' condition, such as a 'suspected' illness, before a formal diagnosis is confirmed.
The word 疑い is often paired with 晴れる (hareru), meaning 'to clear up', to describe the moment a doubt is removed, like clouds clearing from the sky.

私をお疑いで？
Do you doubt me?
This example shows how to use 疑い when asking if someone doubts you.
Tatoeba #10908790 by small_snow, translation #1886110 by CK
疑いの余地はない。
There is no room for doubt.
This example uses the expression 疑いの余地 to show there is no room for doubt.
Tatoeba #182925 by bunbuku, translation #20037 by CC
もはや疑いの余地はない。
There is no longer any room for doubt.
This example demonstrates the use of 疑いの余地 to express that there is no longer any room for doubt.
Tatoeba #193172 by KK_kaku_, translation #30337 by CM
彼の言葉には疑問があります。
I have doubts about what he said.
彼の提案に疑問を感じます。
I feel doubtful about his proposal.
彼女の行動には不信感を抱いています。
I have doubts about her actions.
その企業には不信感を抱いている人が多いです。
Many people have doubts about that company.
その話には少し疑いがある。
I have some doubts about that story.
彼の答えに疑いを持っている。
I doubt his answer.
彼の説明には疑念が残る。
I still have doubts about his explanation.
彼の言葉には疑念しか感じられない。
I can only feel doubt in his words.
13 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Hiroto are discussing a mysterious story they heard.

美咲 Misaki

その話には少し疑いがあるわ。
Sono hanashi ni wa sukoshi utagai ga aru wa.
I have some doubts about that story.
大翔 Hiroto

どうしてそう思うの？
Dōshite sō omou no?
Why do you think so?
美咲 Misaki

話の内容が不自然だからよ。
Hanashi no naiyō ga fushizen dakara yo.
Because the content of the story is unnatural.
大翔 Hiroto

確かに、疑いを持つのも無理はないね。
Tashika ni, utagai o motsu no mo muri wa nai ne.
True, it's no wonder you have doubts.

Sources

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