ngờ vực
Definition
Verb:
- To suspect: To believe that someone may have done something wrong or dishonest without having certain proof.
- To doubt: To feel uncertain about or lack complete trust in the truth, reliability, or honesty of someone or something.
Adjective (in compound forms):
- Suspicious, doubtful: Describing a state or feeling characterized by suspicion or doubt.
Usage Examples
Verb:
- Cảnh sát ngờ vực anh ta có liên quan đến vụ trộm. (The police suspect he is related to the theft.)
- Tôi ngờ vực tính chính xác của thông tin đó. (I doubt the accuracy of that information.)
- Đừng ngờ vực lòng tốt của cô ấy. (Do not suspect her good intentions.)
Adjective (used descriptively):
- Anh ta đưa ra một lời giải thích đầy ngờ vực. (He gave a very suspicious explanation.)
- Cô ấy nhìn tôi với ánh mắt ngờ vực. (She looked at me with a doubtful/suspicious gaze.)
Advanced Usage
- The verb "ngờ vực" often implies a deeper, more active state of mistrust or skepticism than the simpler verb "ngờ" (to suspect). It is commonly used in contexts involving personal judgment, integrity, or truthfulness.
Variants and Related Words
Hoài nghi (v): to be skeptical, to doubt. Often used in more formal or philosophical contexts.
- Anh ấy hoài nghi mọi lời hứa. (He is skeptical of all promises.)
Nghi ngờ (v): to doubt, to suspect. Very close in meaning and often interchangeable with "ngờ vực", though "nghi ngờ" can be slightly more common in everyday speech.
- Tôi nghi ngờ khả năng thành công của dự án. (I doubt the project's chance of success.)
Synonyms
- Suspect: To think or believe someone is likely guilty of something.
- Doubt: To feel uncertain or hesitant to believe.
- Mistrust: To have no confidence in; to distrust.
Related Idioms
Mang lòng ngờ vực: To harbor suspicion.
- Anh ấy mang lòng ngờ vực với tất cả mọi người. (He harbors suspicion toward everyone.)
Sống trong ngờ vực: To live in doubt/suspicion.
- Không nên để trẻ em sống trong ngờ vực. (Children should not live in suspicion.)
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Suspect, doubt
