doubt
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doubt
A feeling of uncertainty or disbelief regarding the truth, correctness, or possibility of something.
Mir kamen Zweifel, ob seine Geschichte wirklich wahr ist.
I began to have doubts about whether his story was really true.
without doubt
A fixed expression meaning that something is certain, definite, or indisputable.
Sie ist ohne Zweifel die beste Kandidatin für diese Stelle.
She is without doubt the best candidate for this position.
to call into question
To doubt something or call it into question.
Niemand wagte es, die Entscheidung des Chefs in Zweifel zu ziehen.
No one dared to call the boss's decision into question.
to be beyond doubt
To be completely unquestionable and unassailable.
Seine Integrität als Richter ist über jeden Zweifel erhaben.
His integrity as a judge is beyond doubt.
'Zweifel' (doubt) is related to the number 'zwei' (two). The original idea is that you are torn back and forth between two possibilities and cannot decide.
Sein Zögern nährte meine Zweifel.
His hesitation fed my doubts.
A doubt relates to something. For this, the preposition 'an' (about / regarding) is used with the dative. This is a fixed connection that you should learn.
Ich habe Zweifel an seiner Ehrlichkeit.
I have doubts about his honesty.
'Zweifel' (doubt) is often combined with certain verbs. The most common are 'Zweifel haben' (to have doubts), 'Zweifel hegen' (to harbor doubts; elevated), or, when doubts arise, 'Zweifel kommen auf' (doubts arise).
Der Detektiv hegte von Anfang an Zweifel.
The detective had doubts from the very beginning.
The expression 'ohne Zweifel' (without doubt) is a fixed expression used to express certainty. It can stand at the beginning of a sentence (then the verb follows) or in the middle of the sentence.
Ohne Zweifel ist dies sein bestes Buch.
Without doubt, this is his best book.
The idiom 'etwas in Zweifel ziehen' (to call something into question) is a fixed unit. The thing that is being doubted is in the accusative.
Die neuen Beweise ziehen die bisherigen Ermittlungen in Zweifel.
The new evidence calls the previous investigations into question.
The expression 'über jeden Zweifel erhaben sein' (to be beyond doubt) is a formal way to say that something is absolutely certain and indisputable. The subject of the sentence is the unassailable thing or person.
Ihre Kompetenz in diesem Bereich ist über jeden Zweifel erhaben.
Her competence in this field is beyond doubt.
concern / consideration
Both Zweifel and Bedenken can express inner uncertainty when making a decision. Zweifel is more likely to concern whether something is true, right, or possible, whereas Bedenken highlights possible disadvantages or problems with something. With Zweifel, question the thing itself; with Bedenken, focus more on its consequences.
Ich habe Zweifel, ob dieser Plan wirklich funktionieren kann.
I doubt whether this plan can really work.
Ich habe Bedenken, weil dieser Plan für viele Menschen teuer werden könnte.
I have concerns because this plan could be expensive for many people.
