متشكك
mutashakkik
The Arabic word for skeptic is متشكك (mutashakkik).
The term is used to describe someone who doubts beliefs and claims.
Meaning: someone who doubts beliefs and claims (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a participle derived from the verb shakka (to doubt), and it literally means 'one who is in a state of doubting'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term مُتَشَكِّك is widely used in Egypt and some other Gulf countries.
How do you pronounce it?
mutashakkik
Did you know?
- In classical Islamic theology, the state of doubt expressed by the root of متشكك was historically viewed by some as a vital and necessary stage in the journey toward achieving true faith.
- Arabic differentiates between the active participle متشكك and the hyperbolic form شكاك. The latter describes someone who is chronically distrustful of others' intentions rather than a philosophical skeptic.
- The root sh-k-k is shared with the word for 'suspicion' used in the phrase 'reasonable doubt' in Arabic legal systems, which is essential for acquitting a defendant.
Examples in context
- أنا مُشَكِّك في المعلومات المقدَّمة.I am skeptical of the provided information.
- الباحثُ المُثقَّف يجب أن يَكُونَ مُشَكِّكًا.The educated researcher must be a skeptic.
- هو شخص متشكك بطبعهHuwa shakhṣ mutashakkik bi-ṭab‘ihi
- لا تكن متشككاً في كل شيء.lā takun mutashakkikan fī kulli shay'.Do not be a skeptic about everything.
- أنا متشكك في هذا الخبر.anā mutashakkik fī hādhā al-khabar.I am a skeptic regarding this news.
Example conversation
Nour and Ziyad are discussing a new scientific claim.
- نور Nourهل تصدق هذا الخبر يا زياد؟Hal tusaddiq hadha al-khabar ya Ziyad?Do you believe this news, Ziyad?
- زياد Ziadلا، أنا متشكك في صحة الخبر.La, ana mutashakkik fi sihat al-khabar.No, I am a skeptic about the truth of the news.
- نور Nourلماذا لا تثق في المصدر؟Limadha la tathiqu fi al-masdar?Why don't you trust the source?
- زياد Ziadلأن المعلومات غير مكتملة.Li'anna al-ma'lumat ghayr muktamila.Because the information is incomplete.
