to doubt
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to doubt
To be uncertain about the truth, correctness, or existence of someone or something; to have doubts. This construction with the preposition 'an' and the dative is the most common use.
Ich zweifle an der Richtigkeit dieser Information.
I doubt the correctness of this information.
to doubt
To generally be in a state of uncertainty or skepticism without naming a direct object. Often used as an expression of a general attitude or reaction.
Nach all den widersprüchlichen Aussagen begann der Kommissar zu zweifeln.
After all the contradictory statements, the inspector began to doubt.
The word 'zweifeln' (to doubt) is related to the number 'zwei' (two). It describes the state of being mentally torn between two possibilities or opinions and being unable to decide.
Wenn man zweifelt, ist man sich einer Sache nicht zu hundert Prozent sicher.
When you doubt something, you are not one hundred percent sure about it.
The most common construction for 'zweifeln' (to doubt) is with the preposition 'an' followed by the dative. You always doubt 'an' something or 'an' someone in German.
Der Chef zweifelt an den Fähigkeiten seines neuen Mitarbeiters.
The boss doubts the abilities of his new employee.
Instead of 'an + dative', you can also express doubts with a subordinate clause. Subordinate clauses introduced by 'ob' (whether) or a question word (how, what, why) are typical.
Ich zweifle, ob das die richtige Entscheidung war.
I doubt whether that was the right decision.
People often doubt abstract things such as a statement, honesty, competence, or love. A very common phrase is also 'an sich selbst zweifeln' (to doubt oneself).
Nach der Kritik begann der Künstler, an seinem eigenen Talent zu zweifeln.
After the criticism, the artist began to doubt his own talent.
to wonder / surprise
Wundern and zweifeln can both express an uncertain reaction to information, but they focus on different things. If you find something unexpected or hard to understand, you wundern yourself; if you do not consider its truth or correctness certain, you zweifel daran. Use wundern for surprise and zweifeln for skepticism.
Ich zweifle daran, dass der Bus heute wirklich so früh angekommen ist.
I doubt that the bus really arrived so early today.
Ich wundere mich, dass der Bus heute so früh angekommen ist.
I wonder why the bus arrived so early today.
