anzweifeln
to question
To express or have doubts about the correctness, truth, or authenticity of something.
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt zweifelte die Glaubwürdigkeit des Zeugen an.
The lawyer questioned the credibility of the witness.
anzweifeln
to doubt / question
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Meanings
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Anzweifeln' (to doubt / question) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' is separated from the verb in a main clause and placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er zweifelte ihre Geschichte sofort an.
He immediately questioned her story.
Sentence structure with accusative
This verb always needs a direct object in the accusative. You question 'etwas' (something). This is a fixed grammatical pattern.
EXAMPLE
Die Opposition zweifelt die neuen Zahlen der Regierung an.
The opposition is questioning the government's new figures.
Typical collocations
You typically question abstract things. Common objects are: eine Aussage (a statement), ein Ergebnis (a result), die Glaubwürdigkeit (credibility), eine Theorie (a theory), or eine Entscheidung (a decision).
EXAMPLE
Niemand wagte es, die Entscheidung des Chefs anzuzweifeln.
No one dared to question the boss's decision.
Compare with
anzweifeln vs widersprechen
to contradict
Widersprechen means taking a clear opposing position toward a person or their statement. Anzweifeln, by contrast, expresses that you consider the correctness of a claim uncertain without definitively rejecting it. Use widersprechen when there is clear opposition; use anzweifeln when uncertainty remains.
anzweifeln
Ich zweifle Toms Aussage über die Verspätung an, weil die Lage noch unklar ist.
I question Tom’s statement about the delay because the situation is still unclear.
widersprechen
Ich widerspreche Tom und bin überzeugt, dass der Zug pünktlich sein wird.
I contradict Tom and am convinced that the train will be on time.
In real life
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