scruple
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scruple
A moral doubt or concern that makes someone hesitate to do something wrong or questionable. It is almost always used in the plural.
Er hatte keine Skrupel, seine Kollegen zu belügen, um die Beförderung zu bekommen.
He had no scruples about lying to his colleagues in order to get the promotion.
This word is used almost exclusively in the plural, 'die Skrupel' (scruples). The singular form 'der Skrupel' does exist, but it is extremely rare in modern usage.
Sie hatte große Skrupel, das Geheimnis ihrer Freundin zu verraten.
She had serious scruples about betraying her friend's secret.
'Skrupel' (scruples) is usually used with the verb 'haben' (to have). The negative formulation 'keine Skrupel haben' (to have no scruples) is especially common for expressing that someone has no moral restraint.
Der Dieb hatte offensichtlich keine Skrupel, der alten Dame die Handtasche zu stehlen.
The thief obviously had no scruples about stealing the old lady's handbag.
The phrase '(keine) Skrupel haben' ((not) to have scruples) is often followed by an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to). It describes the action in which the moral concerns play a role.
Er hatte Skrupel, das Jobangebot anzunehmen, weil er dafür umziehen müsste.
He had scruples about accepting the job offer because he would have to move for it.
doubt
Doubt and Skrupel (scruples) can both make someone hesitate before taking action. Zweifel concerns judgment or a decision in general, whereas Skrupel specifically refers to moral resistance to doing something wrong or questionable. Use Skrupel when a guilty conscience is the reason for hesitating.
Ich hatte Skrupel, den Fehler meines Kollegen absichtlich zu verschweigen.
I had qualms about deliberately concealing my colleague’s mistake.
Ich hatte Zweifel, ob ich die Einladung meines unbekannten Nachbarn annehmen sollte.
I had doubts about whether I should accept the invitation from my unfamiliar neighbor.
