der Selbstzweifel
self-doubt
Uncertainty or doubt about one's own abilities, decisions, or worth.
EXAMPLE
Nach der harten Kritik seines Chefs kamen ihm erste Selbstzweifel.
After his boss's harsh criticism, he began to experience self-doubt.
der Selbstzweifel
self-doubt
der Selbstzweifel, die Selbstzweifel
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Selbstzweifel, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Selbstzweifel |
| genitive | des Selbstzweifels |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Selbstzweifel | die Selbstzweifel |
| accusative | den Selbstzweifel | die Selbstzweifel |
| dative | dem Selbstzweifel | den Selbstzweifeln |
| genitive | des Selbstzweifels | der Selbstzweifel |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word composition
'Selbstzweifel' (self-doubt) is made up of 'selbst' (self) and 'Zweifel' (doubt). It refers to doubts directed at oneself.
EXAMPLE
Nach mehreren Fehlern wurden ihre Selbstzweifel immer stärker.
After making several mistakes, her self-doubt grew stronger and stronger.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'starke Selbstzweifel haben' (to have strong self-doubt), 'von Selbstzweifeln geplagt sein' (to be plagued by self-doubt), and 'Selbstzweifel überwinden' (to overcome self-doubt). These expressions describe how intense the uncertainty is or how someone deals with it.
EXAMPLE
Trotz seiner Erfahrung wurde er vor dem Vortrag von Selbstzweifeln geplagt.
Despite his experience, he was plagued by self-doubt before the presentation.
Inhibiting effect
'Selbstzweifel' (self-doubt) is often given as the reason why someone does not dare to do something or does not make a decision. Typical sentence patterns are 'Selbstzweifel hindern jemanden daran, etwas zu tun' (self-doubt prevents someone from doing something) and 'Selbstzweifel halten jemanden von etwas ab' (self-doubt keeps someone from doing something).
EXAMPLE
Ihre Selbstzweifel hinderten sie daran, ihre Idee im Team vorzustellen.
Her self-doubt prevented her from presenting her idea to the team.
Psychological context
The word is often used in personal, psychological, and professional contexts when discussing how someone evaluates their own performance or personality.
EXAMPLE
Im Bewerbungsgespräch sprach er offen über seine Selbstzweifel und seine Fortschritte.
During the job interview, he spoke openly about his self-doubt and his progress.
In real life
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