skeptical
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skeptical
Doubtful or mistrustful toward a claim, a person, or a situation. You are not easily convinced and question things critically.
Ich bin skeptisch, ob dieser Plan wirklich funktionieren wird.
I am skeptical about whether this plan will really work.
When you want to express who or what someone is skeptical toward, you use the preposition 'gegenüber' with the dative. This construction is very common.
Der Professor war gegenüber den Ergebnissen der Studie skeptisch.
The professor was skeptical toward the results of the study.
'Skeptisch sein' (to be skeptical) is often followed by a subordinate clause introduced by 'ob' (whether). This clause expresses the doubt or question one has.
Die Anleger sind skeptisch, ob die Firma ihre Ziele erreichen kann.
The investors are skeptical about whether the company can reach its goals.
'Skeptisch' (skeptical) is often combined with the verbs 'sein' (to be), 'bleiben' (to remain), or 'werden' (to become). It can also be used as an adverb to describe an action, for example 'jemanden skeptisch ansehen' (to look at someone skeptically).
Trotz der positiven Nachrichten blieb sie skeptisch.
Despite the positive news, she remained skeptical.
critical
'kritisch' and 'skeptisch' both describe an attitude in which you do not simply believe everything. 'skeptisch' mainly means that you have doubts or are mistrustful. 'kritisch' means that you examine, evaluate, and may also express objections. The words are easily confused because a skeptical person often also asks critical questions. But 'skeptisch' emphasizes doubt, while 'kritisch' emphasizes examination or evaluation.
Ich bin skeptisch, ob der Plan bei diesem Wetter wirklich funktioniert.
I am skeptical about whether the plan will really work in this weather.
Vor der Reise prüft Max den Vertrag kritisch, weil viele Regeln unklar sind.
Before the trip, Max examines the contract critically because many rules are unclear.