verdächtig
/fɛɐ̯ˈdɛçtɪç/
The English word 'suspicious' is translated into German as verdächtig.
verdächtig is used to describe something or someone that arouses suspicion. For example, when describing a person's appearance as suspicious, German often uses the separable verb aussehen (to look/appear) combined with this word, such as in the phrase verdächtig aussehen.
Meaning: arousing suspicion (adj)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between verdächtig and misstrauisch. While verdächtig describes the object that arouses suspicion (something that looks suspicious), misstrauisch describes the person who feels that suspicion or distrust (a person who is distrustful). Additionally, the informal term komisch can be used to convey the notion of something being fishy or suspicious.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, verdächtig takes various endings depending on the gender, number and case of the noun it modifies, such as the form verdächtige.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛɐ̯ˈdɛçtɪç/
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might say something is 'fishy', a German speaker might use the word faul (rotten/lazy) to describe a suspicious situation or a person's behavior.
- The noun form Verdacht is used in the common German idiom Verdacht erhärten, which translates to 'to harden suspicion' when you want to say you have confirmed a suspicion.
- In a legal context, the term anfangsverdacht describes a 'initial suspicion' that is necessary to start a formal investigation.
Examples in context
- Er sieht verdächtig aus.He looks suspicious.This sentence shows how to use verdächtig to describe someone's appearance.Tatoeba #1315472 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #72055 by CK
- Das ist sehr verdächtig.That's very suspicious.This sentence demonstrates using verdächtig to describe a situation or object.Tatoeba #12198198 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12110993 by ddnktr
- Das scheint mir verdächtig.That seems suspicious to me.This sentence illustrates expressing a personal feeling that something is verdächtig.Tatoeba #2942252 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2686458 by AlanF_US
- Die Polizei betrachtet den Vorfall als verdächtig.The police consider the incident as suspicious.
- Seine merkwürdige Reaktion erweckte Misstrauen.His peculiar reaction aroused suspicion.
- Das klingt alles sehr komisch, ich würde hier vorsichtig sein.That all sounds very fishy, I would be cautious here.
- Das ganze Geschäft scheint mir fragwürdig.The whole business seems questionable to me.
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are walking through a dark park.
- MaximilianSiehst du den Schatten dort? Das ist verdächtig.Do you see that shadow there? That is suspicious.
- JuliaJa, Maximilian, das wirkt wirklich seltsam.Yes, Maximilian, that seems really strange.
- MaximilianLass uns lieber schnell hier weggehen.Let's just get out of here quickly.
- JuliaDu hast recht, das ist mir auch zu unheimlich.You're right, that's too creepy for me too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suspicious” translations and entries verdächtig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
