Definition

1. Verb:

   • To doubt: To feel uncertain about the truth, reality, or existence of something; to be unconvinced or skeptical.
   • To suspect: To have a tentative belief, often tinged with distrust, that something may be the case, especially something negative.

2. Adjective (Derived usage):

   • Skeptical / Doubtful: Having or showing an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi hoài nghi tính chân thực của câu chuyện đó. (I doubt the authenticity of that story.)
  • Cảnh sát hoài nghi hắn có liên quan đến vụ trộm. (The police suspect he is involved in the theft.)
• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy có cái nhìn hoài nghi về mọi lời hứa. (He has a skeptical view of all promises.)
  • Với vẻ mặt hoài nghi, cô ấy lắc đầu. (With a doubtful expression, she shook her head.)

Advanced Usage

• "tinh thần hoài nghi": A spirit of skepticism; a philosophical or scientific attitude of questioning and doubting claims until they are verified by evidence.
  • Tinh thần hoài nghi là nền tảng của tư duy khoa học. (A spirit of skepticism is the foundation of scientific thinking.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngờ vực (v): To distrust, to be suspicious. Often used interchangeably with "hoài nghi" but can imply a stronger sense of personal mistrust.

  • Cô ấy ngờ vực ý tốt của người lạ. (She distrusts the good intentions of strangers.)

• Nghi ngờ (v): To doubt, to suspect. Very close in meaning to "hoài nghi," but "nghi ngờ" is often used in more everyday contexts.

  • Tôi nghi ngờ anh ấy đang nói dối. (I suspect he is lying.)

Synonyms

• Doubt: To be uncertain.
• Suspect: To believe tentatively, especially something unfavorable.
• Distrust: To lack trust in.
• Question: To raise doubts about.

Related Idioms

• Mang lòng hoài nghi: To harbor doubts; to hold suspicion within oneself.
  • Ông chủ luôn mang lòng hoài nghi với nhân viên mới. (The boss always harbors doubts about new employees.)

verb

1. to doubt