Definition

1. Verb:
   • To doubt, to be doubtful, to be suspicious: To feel uncertain or skeptical about the truth, reality, or reliability of something or someone. It implies a state of hesitation due to lack of certainty or trust.
   • To be in a state of doubt: To be undecided or wavering between different possibilities or conclusions.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi bắt đầu nghi hoặc những lời hứa của anh ta. (I began to doubt his promises.)
  • Dữ liệu mâu thuẫn khiến mọi người nghi hoặc kết quả. (The conflicting data made everyone doubt the results.)
  • Cô ấy nghi hoặc không biết có nên đồng ý hay không. (She was in doubt about whether to agree or not.)

Advanced Usage

• "nghi nghi hoặc hoặc" (reduplicative form): To be hesitant, indecisive, or full of doubt. This form emphasizes a prolonged state of uncertainty and wavering.
  • Cậu ấy cứ nghi nghi hoặc hoặc mãi, không dám đưa ra quyết định cuối cùng. (He kept hesitating and couldn't bring himself to make a final decision.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nghi ngờ (v): To suspect, to doubt. This is a very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "nghi hoặc," though "nghi ngờ" can sometimes carry a stronger connotation of suspicion towards a person.
• Hoài nghi (v): To be skeptical, to have doubts. This term often implies a more philosophical or deeply ingrained skepticism.

Synonyms

• Doubt: To be uncertain about.
• Be suspicious: To have a feeling that something is wrong or that someone is guilty.
• Hesitate: To pause before saying or doing something because of uncertainty.
• Question: To express doubts about.

Related Idioms

• Lòng đầy nghi hoặc: A heart/mind full of doubt.
  • Nghe tin ấy, lòng cô đầy nghi hoặc. (Upon hearing that news, her heart was full of doubt.)

1. Doubt, be in doubt
2. Nghi nghi hoặc hoặc (láy)
   • Con nghi nghi hoặc hoặc chưa dám quyết định
     Not to dare make up one's mind, being still in doubt