Translation and Meaning of: 疑う - utagau

Have you ever found yourself doubting something in Japanese and didn't know how to express that feeling? The verb 疑う [うたがう] is the key to conveying mistrust, suspicion, or even having a nagging doubt. In this article, we will explore this word in depth — from its etymology to its use in everyday Japanese, including the intriguing pictogram that makes it up. If you want to learn not only the meaning but also practical phrases to include in your Anki or another memorization system, you are in the right place.

The kanji 疑 is one of those characters that carries curious stories. It appears in both formal and informal contexts, but do you know why it has this shape? And more: how do the Japanese use this word in their daily lives? Here, in addition to uncovering the origin of the term, you will discover tips to never forget its meaning and even puns that natives love. Shall we begin?

The Origin and the Kanji of 疑う

The kanji 疑 is a masterpiece of Chinese writing. Its radical, 疋 (piece of fabric), combined with other strokes, suggests the idea of something "tangled" or "confused" — perfect for representing doubt. In ancient China, this character already appeared in classical texts with the meaning of "to question," and the Japanese inherited this nuance when they adapted the kanji to their language.

Interestingly, the right side of the kanji (㐄) refers to a stuck foot, as if someone is hesitating to take the next step. It is no wonder that 疑う carries this energy of uncertainty. In compositions like 疑問 (ぎもん - "question") or 容疑者 (ようぎしゃ - "suspect"), it retains this essence of distrust. Anyone who has watched a Japanese police drama has certainly come across this word in the tense dialogues between detectives.

How to Use 疑う in Daily Life

In practice, the Japanese use 疑う both for mild suspicions ("I think he is lying") and for serious accusations. A common phrase is 彼の正直さを疑う (かれのしょうじきさをうたがう - "to doubt his honesty"). But be careful: in formal situations, such as a business meeting, it's better to soften it with expressions like 少し気になります (すこしきになります - "I am a little concerned"), unless you want to come across as too direct.

A common mistake among learners is to confuse 疑う with "not believing." The difference? While 信じない (しんじない) is neutral, 疑う implies an active distrust. Imagine a colleague disappearing with your lunch: saying 田中さんを疑ってる (たなかさんをうたがってる) sounds like a veiled accusation. Therefore, many opt for the softer もしかして… ("could it be that…") in those moments. The Japanese language loves these subtleties!

Tips for Memorization and Curiosities

To fix 疑う, how about associating its kanji with a detective in a hat (the upper radical) investigating footprints (the "foot" below)? This image helps to remember that the word is related to investigation and suspicions. Another trick is to create flashcards with sentences like 幽霊の存在を疑う (ゆうれいのそんざいをうたがう - "doubt the existence of ghosts"), since the contrast of the absurd theme with the formal structure sticks in the memory.

In pop culture, 疑う appears even in manga titles like 君を疑う (きみをうたがう - "Doubting You"). There’s a classic pun that the Japanese love: うたがう? 歌がうまい？ (うたがう？ うたがうまい？ - "Doubt? Or sings well?"), playing with the similar pronunciation of the words. Who would have thought that a word about distrust could be so fun?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 疑問に思う (Gimon ni omou) - To have doubts, to question something.
• 疑いを持つ (Utagai o motsu) - To be distrustful, to doubt something or someone.
• 不審に思う (Fushin ni omou) - To feel suspicious, to be distrustful of something.
• 疑わしいと思う (Utagawashii to omou) - To think that something is dubious, to consider something suspicious.
• 疑惑を抱く (Giwaku o daku) - Nurturing suspicions or distrust, carrying a deep questioning.

疑う

Romaji: utagau
Kana: うたがう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: to doubt; suspect; have suspicions of; suspect

Meaning in English: to doubt;to distrust;to be suspicious of;to suspect

Definition: I have doubts.

Example Sentences - (疑う) utagau

See below some example sentences:

私は彼の言葉を疑う。

Watashi wa kare no kotoba wo utagau

I doubt his words.

I doubt your words.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 彼 - personal pronoun that means "he" in Japanese
• の - Possessive particle indicating that "言葉" (words) belongs to "彼" (him)
• 言葉 - noun that means "words" in Japanese
• を - object particle that indicates that "言葉" (words) is the direct object of the action
• 疑う - verb meaning "to doubt" in Japanese