半信半疑

• Pinyin: bàn xìn bàn yí
• Hanzi breakdown: 半 = half; 信 = believe; 半 = half; 疑 = doubt

Meaning

Half believing, half doubting; skeptical; uncertain.

Describes a state of partial belief mixed with doubt. Used when someone is not fully convinced but not entirely dismissive either.

Examples

1. 听到这个消息，她半信半疑地看着我。 Upon hearing the news, she looked at me with half-belief and half-doubt.
2. 对于他的解释，大家都半信半疑。 Everyone was skeptical about his explanation.
3. 网上的那些减肥秘方，我向来半信半疑。 I've always been skeptical about those weight-loss secrets online.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, narrative

Tone: uncertain

Do Say

• 我听了之后半信半疑。(After hearing it, I was skeptical.)
• 他半信半疑地接受了这个说法。(He accepted the explanation with some skepticism.)

Don't Say

• 对完全相信或完全不信的情况用'半信半疑' (Don't use 半信半疑 when you're fully convinced or totally dismissive)

Origin & History

半信 (half-believing) + 半疑 (half-doubting). A symmetrical idiom expressing ambivalence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal