疑わしい

• Reading: うたがわしい
• Romaji: utagawashii
• Kanji breakdown: 疑 (utaga/gi) — doubt, suspect, question
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ta.ɡa.wa.ɕiː/

Meaning

Doubtful; questionable; suspicious. Something that invites scepticism or distrust.

An i-adjective meaning something is open to doubt or suspicion. Can describe both abstract claims (疑わしい理論, a questionable theory) and people/behaviour (疑わしい人物, a suspicious person). Commonly used in the pattern ～は疑わしい (~ is doubtful). Related to the verb 疑う (utagau, to doubt/suspect).

Examples

1. その話の真実性は疑わしい。 The authenticity of that story is doubtful.
2. 疑わしい人物が近所をうろついていた。 A suspicious person was lurking around the neighborhood.
3. 成功するかどうかは疑わしいと言わざるを得ない。 I have to say it's doubtful whether it will succeed.

Usage Guide

Context: analysis, suspicion, evaluation, news

Tone: sceptical

Origin & History

From the verb 疑う (utagau, to doubt/suspect) + しい (shii, adjective-forming suffix). The kanji 疑 depicts a person hesitating at a crossroads, embodying the sense of uncertainty.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal