Doubt in different languages

Doubt in Different Languages

Discover 'Doubt' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Doubt is a powerful and significant word, expressing uncertainty or lack of conviction in one's beliefs, ideas, or decisions. It plays a crucial role in shaping our perspectives and driving us to seek truth and knowledge. Throughout history, famous thinkers, philosophers, and scientists have grappled with doubt, often using it as a catalyst for great discoveries and advancements.

Culturally, the concept of doubt has been explored in various art forms, including literature, music, and films. From Shakespeare's Hamlet to modern-day cinema, doubt serves as a powerful narrative tool, sparking curiosity and engaging audiences worldwide. Moreover, understanding the nuances of doubt in different languages can enrich our cross-cultural communication and foster empathy.

For instance, the French express doubt as 'doute,' while the Germans use 'Zweifel.' In Spanish, doubt is 'duda,' and in Japanese, it's ' Utagai.' These translations not only reflect linguistic diversity but also highlight the universality of the human experience.

In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of doubt in different languages, exploring how various cultures grapple with uncertainty and ambiguity.

Doubt


Doubt in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanstwyfel
The Afrikaans word "twyfel" is etymologically related to the Dutch word "twijfel," and its literal meaning is "double belief"
Amharicጥርጣሬ
"ጥርጣሬ" comes from the verb "ጠራጠር", meaning "to be anxious" or "to be suspicious".
Hausashakka
The word shakka can also mean 'argument' or 'reason'.
Igboenwe obi abụọ
Malagasyazo antoka
Though "Azo antoka" means "doubt" in Malagasy, it literally translates to "to have two minds".
Nyanja (Chichewa)kukaikira
The word 'kukaikira' can also mean 'to hesitate' or 'to be uncertain'.
Shonakusava nechokwadi
The Shona word "kusava nechokwadi" is also used to describe a lack of certainty or faith in something.
Somalishaki
The Somali word shaki is a cognate of shauku in Swahili, both meaning 'doubt'.
Sesothopelaelo
Pelaelo is also used to describe a person who is shy or timid.
Swahilishaka
The word 'shaka' in Swahili can also mean 'suspicion' or 'uncertainty'.
Xhosamathandabuzo
The word 'mathandabuzo' can also mean 'suspicion' or 'uncertainty'.
Yorubaiyemeji
The Yoruba word 'iyemeji' also means 'coincidence' and derives from the root word 'iye', which means 'mother'.
Zuluukungabaza
The Zulu word "ukungabaza" can also refer to a state of uncertainty or skepticism.
Bambarasigasiga
Eweɖikeke
Kinyarwandagushidikanya
Lingalantembe
Lugandaokubuusabuusa
Sepedidoubt
Twi (Akan)nnye nni

Doubt in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicشك
In Arabic, "شك" (shakk) also means "to suspect something" or "to be uncertain about something".
Hebrewספק
In Hebrew, "ספק" ('doubt') can also refer to "indecisiveness" or a "quantity or amount that is uncertain or indefinite."
Pashtoشک
"شک" (doubt) derives from Sanskrit "शंक" and also means "suspicion" in Pashto.
Arabicشك
In Arabic, "شك" (shakk) also means "to suspect something" or "to be uncertain about something".

Doubt in Western European Languages

Albaniandyshim
Dyshim is also believed to derive from the Greek word `δισταγμός` (distagmos) which means "wavering" and also the Latin word `dubium` which means "doubt".
Basquezalantza
The Basque word “zalantza” also means “weight” or “balance” as well as “doubt”.
Catalandubte
Dubte can also mean "pause" in literary or musical contexts, which derives from its Latin origin "dubitare"
Croatiansumnjati
In Croatian, "sumnjati" also means "to suspect" and comes from the Proto-Slavic word "sumъ", meaning "thought" or "idea".
Danishtvivl
The Danish word "tvivl" is related to the German word "zweifeln" and the English word "doubt", all deriving from the Proto-Indo-European root *dwei- "to be uncertain".
Dutchtwijfel
The word "twijfel" ("doubt") also means "double fold" or "twofold" in Dutch.
Englishdoubt
The word "doubt" derives from the Old French word "doute" and the Latin word "dubitare," meaning "to hesitate" or "to fear.
Frenchdoute
In Middle French, "doute" also meant a matter to be judged, a dispute or quarrel
Frisiantwivel
The Frisian word "twivel" can also mean a double-headed axe.
Galiciandúbida
The Galician word “dúbida” originates from the Latin verb “dubitare”, meaning to doubt or waver, and is cognate with the English word “dubious”.
Germanzweifel
The word "Zweifel" in German derives from Old High German "zwivalôn" and also means "to divide" or "to separate."
Icelandicefi
In addition to meaning "doubt," "efi" can also mean "uncertainty" or "indecision" in Icelandic.
Irishamhras
The word "amhras" is also an archaic noun meaning "difficulty", akin to the Welsh word "ammhryd" (difficulty).
Italiandubbio
The word "dubbio" also means "indecision" or "uncertainty".
Luxembourgishzweiwel
The Luxembourgish word "Zweiwel" is likely derived from the Old High German word "zwival", which means "branching". The term thus not only denotes a state of uncertainty, but also refers to a fork in the road where one has to make a decision.
Maltesedubju
"Dubju" is a Maltese word that has its roots in the Arabic word "shubha," meaning "suspicion" or "uncertainty."
Norwegiantvil
The word "tvil" in Norwegian also means "twist" or "spin", reflecting the idea of mental uncertainty.}
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)dúvida
The word "dúvida" comes from the Latin word "dubitare", meaning "to waver" or "to hesitate".
Scots Gaelicteagamh
Scots Gaelic 'teagamh' can also mean 'opinion', 'belief' and 'expectation', and is possibly a corruption of 'dearmadh', meaning 'regard'.
Spanishduda
In Spanish, the word "duda" not only means doubt but also a coin toss and a unit of measurement equivalent to 12 units of something.
Swedishtvivel
The Swedish word "tvivel" is etymologically related to the German word "zweifeln" (to doubt), both deriving from the Proto-Germanic *twi- ("two"), and the English "twa" (two).
Welshamheuaeth
The word "amheuaeth" is derived from the Old Welsh word "amheu," meaning "to consider" or "to think about."

Doubt in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianсумненне
"Сумненне" (doubt) in Belarusian comes from the Proto-Slavic root *sъmьnъ, meaning "confusion, trouble".
Bosniansumnja
The word 'sumnja' is derived from the Proto-Slavic word '*sъmьnja', which also meant 'suspicion' and 'thought'.
Bulgarianсъмнение
The word "съмнение" in Bulgarian is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *sъmŭniti, meaning "to think".
Czechpochybovat
The verb "pochybovat" is derived from the noun "pochyba" (doubt), which comes from the Old Czech word "chyba" (fault)
Estoniankahtlus
"Kahtlus" is the Estonian word for "doubt". Its etymological root, "kahe" ("two") suggests its original meaning referred to being caught between two options.
Finnishepäillä
The word "epäillä" can also mean "to suspect" or "to be suspicious of".
Hungariankétség
The Hungarian word "kétség" shares an etymological origin with "kést" ("knife"), both stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kezd-" meaning "to cut or separate".
Latvianšaubas
"Šaubas" may have evolved from the Sanskrit "shap" (to curse), suggesting a historical association between doubt and fear of retribution.
Lithuanianabejones
The word "abejones" in Lithuanian is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰrew-, meaning "to boil, to bubble", and is related to the words "brantas" (trouble, disturbance), "brēti" (to dawn, to break), and "brēkšti" (to dawn).
Macedonianсомнеж
The Macedonian word "сомнеж" can also refer to the act of suspecting or guessing.
Polishwątpić
The verb "wątpić" derives from an Old Polish noun "wątpa" ("doubt"), which is also related to the noun "wątły" ("weak") and the adjective "wątły" ("feeble").
Romanianîndoială
Îndoială is thought to be derived from an old Indo-European root *wei- which also gave rise to words meaning 'to see' in various languages, indicating the connection between doubt and perceiving.
Russianсомневаться
"Сомневаться" is connected to the word "сон" ("sleep") as one is in a state of "mental sleep" when doubting.
Serbianсумња
The Serbian word "sumnja" is cognate with the Lithuanian word "sumišimas" ("confusion") and the Old Church Slavonic word "sŭmьniti" ("to think").
Slovakpochybnosti
The Slovak word "pochybnosti" (doubt) is related to the verb "pochybovať" (to doubt), which itself is derived from the Old Church Slavonic "po" (after, according to) and "chybiti" (to miss).
Sloveniandvom
The word "dvom" also means "pair" in Slovenian, as in a pair of shoes or a pair of dice.
Ukrainianсумнів
The word "сумнів" can also mean "problem" or "question" in Ukrainian.

Doubt in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসন্দেহ
"সন্দেহ" is also the name of a 2005 film directed by Gautam Ghose.
Gujaratiશંકા
The Gujarati word "શંકા" comes from Sanskrit and originally meant "to weigh".
Hindiसंदेह
The Hindi word "संदेह" (doubt) is derived from the Sanskrit word "संदिह" (indecision), which in turn is derived from the root "दिह" (to linger).
Kannadaಅನುಮಾನ
ಅನುಮಾನ also means 'inference', 'reasoning' or 'conclusion'.
Malayalamസംശയം
"സംശയം" also means "suspicion" and is derived from the Sanskrit word "samsaya" meaning "coming together of two opinions."
Marathiशंका
The Marathi word "शंका" comes from the Sanskrit word "शङ्का", which is derived from the root "शङ्क" meaning "to waver".
Nepaliशंका
The word "शंका" is derived from the Sanskrit root "शक्" meaning "to doubt" or "to be uncertain".
Punjabiਸ਼ੱਕ
The word "ਸ਼ੱਕ" in Punjabi is derived from the Sanskrit word "शंक" (śaṅka), which means "thorn" and "suspicion".
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සැකයක්
Tamilசந்தேகம்
In Tamil, the word "சந்தேகம்" can mean not only doubt, but also hesitation or reluctance.
Teluguఅనుమానం
"అనుమానం" originates from the Sanskrit word "manas," meaning "mind," and suggests a state of uncertainty or suspicion in one's thoughts.
Urduشک
The word "شک" in Urdu derives from the Sanskrit word "शङ्का" (śaṅkā), meaning "doubt, suspicion, conjecture".

Doubt in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)怀疑
怀疑 (doubt) is also the name of a 1988 film directed by Zhang Yimou.
Chinese (Traditional)懷疑
懷疑 originally meant "to carry" in the context of carrying something in one's mind or heart, which is the root of its modern day meaning "to think about or consider."
Japanese疑問に思う
「疑問に思う」 is written purely in kanji despite originating from the Buddhist term 「五蘊」 (five aggregates).
Korean의심
"의심" also means "question."
Mongolianэргэлзээ
The Mongolian word эргэлзээ (doubt) also means "spinning" or "circular motion" in a broader sense, which suggests a connection between doubt and the idea of something going around and around in one's mind.
Myanmar (Burmese)သံသယ
သံသယ (doubt) derives from the Sanskrit word "saṃśaya", meaning "wavering or uncertainty of mind."

Doubt in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankeraguan
The Indonesian word "keraguan" is derived from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian root "*ragu" and also has the meanings of "hesitation" or "suspense."}
Javanesemangu-mangu
Mangu-mangu comes from the word “manggu” which means “to be afraid”, suggesting that doubt often arises from fear of uncertainty.
Khmerការសង្ស័យ
The word "ការសង្ស័យ" can also refer to suspicion or hesitation, implying a lack of belief or confidence.
Laoສົງ​ໄສ
The Lao word "ສົງ​ໄສ" (doubt) is derived from the Sanskrit word "saṃsāya", which originally meant "wandering" or "going astray".
Malaykeraguan
The Malay word "keraguan" can also mean "difficulty", or "hesitation".
Thaiสงสัย
"สงสัย" (doubt) is derived from the Sanskrit word "saṃśaya" meaning "uncertainty, doubt, suspicion," and in Thai, it also has the alternate meaning "to be curious about something."
Vietnamesenghi ngờ
"Nghi ngờ" in Vietnamese, originating from "nghĩ" and "ngờ", suggests both the process of thinking and experiencing uncertainty.
Filipino (Tagalog)pagdududa

Doubt in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanişübhə
The Azerbaijani word "şübhə" ("doubt") is derived from the Arabic word "shubha", which also means "ambiguity" or "uncertainty".
Kazakhкүмән
The Kazakh word "күмән" ("doubt") derives from the noun "күмі" ("darkness, obscurity") and describes the ambiguous and uncertain qualities of doubt.
Kyrgyzкүмөн
The word "күмөн" in Kyrgyz also refers to a type of plant known as fennel.
Tajikшубҳа кардан
In the Quran, the word "shubha" means "doubt" or "ambiguity" and is used in the context of religious matters.
Turkmenşübhe
Uzbekshubha
In Uzbek, the word "shubha" can also refer to a "suspicion" or a "misgiving".
Uyghurگۇمان

Doubt in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankānalua
"Kānalua" also refers to the place where two intersecting valleys meet and a small stream flows in one or both of them.
Maorifeaa
In some contexts, the word "feaa" can also mean "fear" or "concern".
Samoanmasalosalo
The Samoan word "masalosalo" can also mean "to hesitate" or "to be undecided".
Tagalog (Filipino)pagdududa

Doubt in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarapayacha
Guaranipy'amokõi

Doubt in International Languages

Esperantodubo
The word "dubo" derives from the Latin word "dubius".
Latindubium
In ancient Greek, it was the name given to a kind of double-edged sword.

Doubt in Others Languages

Greekαμφιβολία
"αμφιβολία" comes from the verb "αμφίβαλλω" (to throw or cast around), akin to Latin's "ambigere" (to go around).
Hmongtsis ntseeg
The Hmong word "tsis ntseeg" originally meant "not believing" but now also means "doubt".
Kurdishşik
Kurdish "şik" also means "to be silent" or "to be motionless".
Turkishşüphe
The word 'şüphe' originates from the Arabic word 'shubha' meaning 'ambiguity' or 'uncertainty'.
Xhosamathandabuzo
The word 'mathandabuzo' can also mean 'suspicion' or 'uncertainty'.
Yiddishצווייפל
The Yiddish word "צווייפל" (tsveyfl) is derived from the German word "zweifel," and also means "twins"
Zuluukungabaza
The Zulu word "ukungabaza" can also refer to a state of uncertainty or skepticism.
Assameseসন্দেহ
Aymarapayacha
Bhojpuriशक
Dhivehiޝައްކު
Dogriशक्क
Filipino (Tagalog)pagdududa
Guaranipy'amokõi
Ilocanodua-dua
Kriodawt
Kurdish (Sorani)گومان
Maithiliशक
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯆꯤꯡꯅꯕ
Mizoringhlel
Oromoshakkii
Odia (Oriya)ସନ୍ଦେହ |
Quechuaiskayrayay
Sanskritशङ्का
Tatarшик
Tigrinyaጥርጣረ
Tsongakanakana

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