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.
'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.
safety / certainty / security
'die Sicherheit' and 'der Zweifel' can be opposites when it comes to knowledge, trust, or a decision. In that case, 'Sicherheit' means that you are convinced something is true or correct. 'Zweifel' means that you are not sure and are asking yourself whether something is really true. You can see the contrast especially clearly in fixed expressions: 'mit Sicherheit' means 'certainly' or 'with certainty', and 'ohne Zweifel' also means that there is no doubt.
Mein Vater hatte Zweifel, ob das Essen für alle Gäste reicht.
My father had doubts about whether there would be enough food for all the guests.
Er sagt mit Sicherheit, dass der Termin morgen stattfindet.
He says with certainty that the appointment is taking place tomorrow.