dubious
Significado: Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon, or of questionable quality or truthfulness.
Dubious works in two directions: a person can feel dubious (uncertain, unconvinced), and a thing can be dubious (questionable, suspect). 'A dubious claim' is one that seems unreliable. 'A dubious honour' is an ironic expression for something undesirable. 'Of dubious legality' suggests something that may well be illegal. The word carries more scepticism than 'uncertain' and less certainty than 'false' — it expresses a strong suspicion without definitive judgement. The adverb 'dubiously' is also common.
Ejemplos
- The board was dubious about the consultant's optimistic revenue projections. 董事会对顾问乐观的收入预测持怀疑态度。El consejo se mostró escéptico ante las optimistas proyecciones de ingresos del consultor.取締役会はコンサルタントの楽観的な収益見通しに懐疑的でした。이사회는 컨설턴트의 낙관적인 수익 전망에 회의적이었다.
- The product made dubious claims about its ability to cure a range of serious health conditions. 该产品对其治愈多种严重疾病的能力作出了可疑的宣传。El producto hacía afirmaciones dudosas sobre su capacidad para curar diversas enfermedades graves.その製品は、さまざまな重篤な健康状態を治癒する能力について疑わしい主張をしていました。그 제품은 다양한 심각한 건강 상태를 치료할 수 있다는 의심스러운 주장을 했다.
- He earned the dubious distinction of being the first employee to be sent home for dress code violations twice in one week. 他获得了一项不光彩的殊荣——成为一周内两次因违反着装规定而被送回家的第一位员工。Se ganó la dudosa distinción de ser el primer empleado al que enviaban a casa dos veces en una semana por incumplir el código de vestimenta.彼は、一週間に二度服装規定違反で帰宅させられた最初の社員という不名誉な記録を打ち立てました。그는 일주일에 두 번 복장 규정 위반으로 퇴근 조치된 최초의 직원이라는 불명예스러운 기록을 세웠다.
Pronunciación
Guía de uso
Contexto: academic, media, professional
Tono: sceptical
Origen e historia
From Latin dubiosus (doubtful, uncertain), from dubium (doubt), from dubius (moving in two directions, wavering), related to duo (two). Entered English in the mid-16th century.
Contexto cultural
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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