suspicious
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suspicious
Having a feeling of doubt or mistrust toward a person or thing. You do not believe that someone or something is honest or safe.
Der alte Hund war Fremden gegenüber immer sehr misstrauisch.
The old dog was always very suspicious of strangers.
The word contains the prefix 'miss-', which often indicates something negative or wrong. Here it is combined with the stem of the verb 'trauen' (to trust), so 'misstrauisch' (suspicious) literally means not trusting someone or something.
Sei nicht so misstrauisch, er will dir nur helfen.
Don't be so suspicious; he only wants to help you.
If you want to express whom or what someone is suspicious of, you use the preposition 'gegenüber' with the dative. The position of 'gegenüber' can be before or after the noun.
Sie ist neuen Ideen gegenüber immer etwas misstrauisch.
She is always somewhat suspicious of new ideas.
'Misstrauisch' (suspicious) is often used to describe an action or an expression. Typical combinations are 'jemanden misstrauisch ansehen' (to look at someone suspiciously), 'ein misstrauischer Blick' (a suspicious look), or 'eine misstrauische Frage stellen' (to ask a suspicious question).
Die Katze beobachtete den Hund mit einem misstrauischen Blick.
The cat watched the dog with a suspicious look.
careful / cautious
'vorsichtig' and 'misstrauisch' can both mean that someone does not immediately believe everything or does not act right away. 'vorsichtig' is more general: you pay attention to possible mistakes or dangers and act with care. 'misstrauisch' is more strongly focused on doubt. In that case, you do not believe that a person or thing is honest, safe, or reliable. Learners may confuse the words because both are connected with holding back. But 'vorsichtig' can fit even without doubting other people; 'misstrauisch' usually needs a reason for suspicion.
Moritz wurde misstrauisch, als der Verkäufer keine klare Antwort gab.
Moritz became suspicious when the seller did not give a clear answer.
Mein Vater ist vorsichtig, wenn er wichtige Unterlagen unterschreibt.
My father is careful when he signs important documents.