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怀疑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
怀疑huáiyíto doubtHSK 4, v, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyíto suspectHSK 4, v, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyídoubtHSK 4, v, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyísuspicionHSK 4, v, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyískepticalHSK 4, v, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyíto doubt (sth)HSK 4, unknown, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyíto be skeptical ofHSK 4, unknown, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyíto have one's doubtsHSK 4, unknown, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyíto harbor suspicionsHSK 4, unknown, rank #1041, Medium
怀疑huáiyíto suspect thatHSK 4, unknown, rank #1041, Medium
huáiyí(huai2yi2) T2
  1. 1to doubt
  2. 2to suspect
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March 24, 2026
怀疑(懷疑)huáiyí(huai2yi2)

怀疑 (huái yí) means to doubt or suspect something or someone. It is commonly used in contexts where there is uncertainty or skepticism regarding a fact, opinion, or the integrity of a person. The nuance often implies a level of distrust or questioning, making it suitable for both casual and formal discussions.

Frequency#1041DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

怀疑 is often linked to the emphasis on truth and honesty in Chinese culture, where trust is valued highly in personal and professional relationships. The concept of suspicion can reflect deeper societal concerns about integrity and loyalty.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person holding their heart (怀) while peering suspiciously at a shadowy figure (疑), representing their doubts. The '怀' (huái) resembles a heart, symbolizing feelings, while '疑' (yí) suggests uncertainty. Together, they create an image of someone emotionally questioning the truth.

Meanings of 怀疑

huáiyí(huai2yi2)
1to doubt
2to suspect
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 怀疑

怀疑Simplified
懷疑Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1041Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 怀疑

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Podcast: 怀疑

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AI Study Notes for 怀疑

Quick Contrast

怀疑 (huái yí) vs 疑惑 (yí huò) — use 怀疑 for a stronger sense of doubt or suspicion, while 疑惑 suggests confusion or uncertainty without the same level of distrust.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person holding their heart (怀) while peering suspiciously at a shadowy figure (疑), representing their doubts. The '怀' (huái) resembles a heart, symbolizing feelings, while '疑' (yí) suggests uncertainty. Together, they create an image of someone emotionally questioning the truth.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 怀疑 with 相信 (xiāng xìn), which means to believe. This word is often used in both formal and informal contexts, so it’s important to match the tone to your audience. Common collocations include 怀疑他的动机 (huái yí tā de dòng jī) – 'to doubt his motives'.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 怀疑 connects with other vocabulary related to emotions and perceptions, such as 知道 (zhī dào - to know) and 认为 (rèn wéi - to believe). Focus on how to use it in sentences that express doubt or skepticism, and practice relevant phrases.

Cultural Note

怀疑 is often linked to the emphasis on truth and honesty in Chinese culture, where trust is valued highly in personal and professional relationships. The concept of suspicion can reflect deeper societal concerns about integrity and loyalty.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 怀疑 with 质疑 (zhì yí), which means to question or challenge. For example, saying '我质疑他的诚实' (I doubt his honesty) is incorrect; it should be '我怀疑他的诚实'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 怀疑

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Component Characters

怀huáibosom
HSK 67 strokes忄
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疑yíto doubt
HSK 714 strokes疋
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Write 怀疑

怀
疑

Practice writing 怀疑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 怀疑

怀疑 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

“他强迫你做的？”她的语气里带着____。

"He made you do it?" Her voice was incredulous.

Example Sentences for 怀疑 (10)

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1
“他强迫你做的？”她的语气里带着怀疑。

“ “ tā qiáng pò nǐ zuò？” de ？” tā de yǔ qì lǐ dài zháo。

"He made you do it?" Her voice was incredulous.
2
大多数机构对新想法持怀疑态度，这不难理解。

dà duō shù jī gòu duì xīn xiǎng fǎ chí huái yí tài dù， ， zhè bù nán lǐ。

Most organizations are, quite understandably, suspicious of new ideas.
3
许多学者仍怀疑是否有变革的需要。

xǔ duō xué zhě réng huái yí shì fǒu yǒu biàn gé de xū yào。

Many academics remain unconvinced of the need for change.
4
附近有一两个人投来怀疑的目光。

fù jìn yǒu yī liǎng gè rén tóu lái huái yí de mù guāng。

There were one or two suspicious looks from nearby.
5
我们并不怀疑他能把这事做得很好.

wǒ mén bìng bù huái yí tā néng bǎ zhè shì zuò dé hěn hǎo.

We don't doubt that he can do a good job of it.
6
然而，有些因素让人对该雕塑的真伪产生了怀疑。

rán ér， ， yǒu xiē yīn sù ràng rén duì gāi diāo sù de zhēn wěi chǎn shēng le huái。

There are factors, however, that have cast doubt on the statue's authenticity.
7
很多立陶宛人对该决定是否明智表示了怀疑。

hěn duō lì táo wǎn rén duì gāi jué dìng shì fǒu míng zhì biǎo shì le huái yí。

Many Lithuanians have expressed doubts about the wisdom of the decision.
8
你或许是个怀疑论者，会把它归因于生活的不公正。

nǐ huò xǔ shì gè huái yí lùn zhě， ， huì bǎ tā guī yīn yú shēng huó de bù gōng。

You may be a sceptic and put it down to life's inequalities.
9
有相当多的人对财政大臣作出的经济会迅猛发展的预测表示怀疑。

yǒu xiāng dāng duō de rén duì cái zhèng dà chén zuò chū de jīng jì huì xùn měng fā zhǎn de yù cè biǎo shì huái yí。

There was considerable scepticism about the Chancellor's forecast of a booming economy.
10
我怀疑地看着他，确信他在夸大其词。

wǒ huái yí dì kàn zháo tā， ， què xìn tā zài kuā dà qí。

I looked at him skeptically, sure he was exaggerating.

Cultural Notes for 怀疑

🏮Cultural insight

怀疑 is often linked to the emphasis on truth and honesty in Chinese culture, where trust is valued highly in personal and professional relationships. The concept of suspicion can reflect deeper societal concerns about integrity and loyalty.

Frequently Asked Questions about 怀疑

You can say, '我怀疑他在说谎', which means 'I suspect he is lying.'