dubious
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dubious
Doubtful, questionable, or suspicious. The word describes people, offers, or circumstances that one does not trust or that seem unclear and nontransparent.
Er machte mir ein dubioses Angebot, das zu gut klang, um wahr zu sein.
He made me a dubious offer that sounded too good to be true.
'Dubios' (dubious) often describes things that could be connected with fraud or illegality. Typical collocations are 'dubiose Geschäfte' (dubious business dealings), 'eine dubiose Gestalt' (a dubious character), 'ein dubioses Angebot' (a dubious offer), or 'dubiose Quellen' (dubious sources).
Die Polizei ermittelt wegen dubioser Geschäfte im Internet.
The police are investigating dubious business dealings on the internet.
The word does not just mean 'unclear'; it has a strongly negative connotation. It expresses active mistrust and the suspicion that something is not right, dishonest, or even dangerous.
Sie hat die Firma wegen ihrer dubiosen Vergangenheit verlassen.
She left the company because of its dubious past.
'Dubios' (dubious) belongs to a somewhat more elevated vocabulary. You often find it in news and reports, but it is also used in everyday language to express criticism or mistrust.
Sein plötzlicher Reichtum kam allen etwas dubios vor.
His sudden wealth seemed somewhat dubious to everyone.
dark
'dunkel' and 'dubios' can both express that something seems suspicious or untrustworthy. 'dubios' is more direct: it is often used for people, offers, business dealings, or circumstances that you do not trust. 'dunkel' is broader and can also simply mean unclear, mysterious, or hard to see through. If you want to clearly say that something seems questionable or disreputable, 'dubios' is more precise.
Vor der Reise findet Lisa im Internet ein dubioses Angebot.
Before the trip, Lisa finds a dubious offer online.
Seine Rolle in der Sache bleibt bis heute dunkel.
His role in the matter remains unclear to this day.