Meaning
The kanji 疑 (ぎ, うたが.う) signifies 'doubt,' 'suspicion,' or 'question.' It describes a state of uncertainty, hesitation, or a lack of conviction regarding a fact, truth, or a person's sincerity. This character expresses the feeling of being unsure or finding something questionable, which often leads to a lack of trust or a need for further investigation.
Etymologically, 疑 is a complex character whose form has evolved significantly over time. Despite these changes, its core meaning of uncertainty has persisted. The modern shape is challenging to dissect into simple components for a direct meaning, but ancient forms offer more clues. Some scholarly interpretations suggest it originally depicted an arrow (矢) that missed its target or was in a state of confusion, unable to land clearly. Another common interpretation breaks down the character into elements that evoke a sense of being 'stuck' or 'hesitating.' The left part, a variant of 疋 (ひき), means 'foot' or 'leg,' often implying movement or stopping. Combined with other elements, it can suggest a foot unable to move forward due to confusion or an internal struggle. The upper part contains 矢 (や), meaning 'arrow,' which might symbolize a point of contention or a sharp question. The component 匕 (ひ) can mean 'spoon,' but in ancient contexts, it sometimes referred to a person or a tool. Together, these elements paint a picture of someone with unclear thoughts, whose path is obstructed, or whose mind is 'pricked' by a lack of clarity. This imagery naturally leads to the act of doubting. This intricate composition vividly portrays the mental state of being in doubt, unable to proceed with certainty.
The kanji 疑 has 14 strokes, giving it a somewhat intricate appearance. It is a Jōyō Kanji, meaning it's designated for general use in Japan, though it's not typically taught at a specific elementary school grade level. For advanced Japanese learners, it's considered essential, categorized at the N2 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Readings
The kanji 疑 features a primary On'yomi reading, derived from Chinese, and two related Kun'yomi readings, native to Japanese. Grasping these distinctions is key to using the character correctly in various contexts.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 疑 is ギ (GI). This reading is primarily found in compound words, where 疑 often forms abstract nouns or formal verbs related to the concept of doubt or suspicion.
疑問 (gimon) — doubt; question; problem. This is one of the most common words using ギ, referring to a specific question or a point of doubt.
彼の発言に疑問を抱いた。 (Kare no hatsugen ni gimon o idaita.) — I had doubts about his statement.
疑惑 (giwaku) — suspicion; distrust; misgivings. This word implies a stronger sense of suspicion or an accusation of wrongdoing, often used in legal or political contexts.
政治家の金銭疑惑が報じられた。 (Seijika no kinsen giwaku ga hōjirareta.) — The politician's financial scandal was reported.
容疑者 (yōgisha) — suspect (person). This term specifically refers to a person who is suspected of committing a crime.
警察は容疑者を逮捕した。 (Keisatsu wa yōgisha o taiho shita.) — The police arrested the suspect.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are employed when 疑 functions as a standalone verb or adjective, or when it combines with okurigana (送り仮名) to form native Japanese words.
疑う (utagau) — to doubt; to suspect; to mistrust. This is the transitive verb form, used when one doubts or suspects someone or something. It can be applied to facts, intentions, or people.
彼の正直さを疑うべきではない。 (Kare no shōjikisa o utagau beki dewa nai.) — You shouldn't doubt his honesty.
疑い (utagai) — doubt; suspicion; misgiving (noun). This is the noun form, often expressing a general feeling of doubt or a specific suspicion. It can be used with verbs like 「抱く」 (idaku - to harbor) or 「晴れる」 (hareru - to clear up).
何の疑いもなく信じた。 (Nan no utagai naku shinjita.) — I believed it without any doubt.
疑わしい (utagawashii) — doubtful; questionable; suspicious (adjective). This adjective describes something that is dubious or raises suspicion, suggesting that its truth or validity is uncertain.
その証言は少し疑わしい。 (Sono shōgen wa sukoshi utagawashii.) — That testimony is a little questionable.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 疑 appears in many common Japanese words and compounds, highlighting its role in expressing different degrees and types of doubt or suspicion. Here are several examples, categorized for clarity:
- General Doubt/Question:
- 疑問 (gimon) — A doubt, question, or problem. Often used when seeking clarification or expressing uncertainty.
- 疑念 (ginen) — A feeling of doubt or suspicion. Often implies a deeper, lingering sense of mistrust or misgiving.
- 半信半疑 (hanshin-hangi) — Half-belief, half-doubt; skepticism. Describes a state where one is not fully convinced, wavering between belief and disbelief.
- Suspicion/Accusation:
- 疑惑 (giwaku) — Suspicion; distrust; misgivings. Often used in formal contexts or regarding criminal matters, implying a strong sense of wrongdoing.
- 容疑者 (yōgisha) — A suspect (person). Specifically someone officially suspected of a crime.
- 嫌疑 (kengi) — Suspicion; charge; allegation. Similar to 疑惑 but often stronger, implying a formal accusation or criminal suspicion.
- 疑獄 (gigoku) — A scandal involving suspicion (especially political or financial corruption).
- Actions/States of Doubting:
- 疑う (utagau) — To doubt, to suspect (verb). The fundamental action of questioning truth or sincerity.
- 疑念を抱く (ginen o idaku) — To harbor doubts. Expresses the act of holding onto a feeling of suspicion or mistrust.
- 疑心暗鬼 (gishin'anki) — Groundless suspicion creates monsters; the state of being full of doubts and fears. A four-character idiom describing how doubt can lead to irrational fears and delusions.
- Describing Doubtful Things:
- 疑わしい (utagawashii) — Doubtful, questionable, suspicious (adjective). Describes the nature of something that provokes doubt or is unreliable.
- 疑問点 (gimonten) — A point of doubt or question. Refers to a specific aspect that needs clarification or resolution.
Example Sentences
私は彼の言動に少し疑いを持った。
Watashi wa kare no gendō ni sukoshi utagai o motta.
I had a little doubt about his words and actions.
新しい理論にはまだ多くの疑問点がある。
Atarashii riron ni wa mada ooku no gimonten ga aru.
There are still many questionable points in the new theory.
警察は容疑者の行方を追っている。
Keisatsu wa yōgisha no yukue o otte iru.
The police are tracing the whereabouts of the suspect.
友人を疑うのは心苦しいことだ。
Yūjin o utagau no wa kokorogurushii koto da.
It is painful to doubt a friend.
彼の証言は大変疑わしく思われた。
Kare no shōgen wa taihen utagawashiku omowareta.
His testimony seemed highly questionable.
政府は国民の疑惑を払拭するべきだ。
Seifu wa kokumin no giwaku o fusshoku suru beki da.
The government should dispel the public's suspicions.
真実を知るまで私たちの疑念は晴れないだろう。
Shinjitsu o shiru made watashitachi no ginen wa harenai darō.
Our doubts won't be cleared until we know the truth.
最初は半信半疑だったが、最後には完全に信じた。
Saisho wa hanshin-hangi datta ga, saigo ni wa kanzen ni shinjita.
At first, I was half in doubt, half in belief, but in the end, I fully believed it.
彼の突然の失踪は、様々な疑念を呼び起こした。
Kare no totsuzen no shissō wa, samazama na ginen o yobiokoshita.
His sudden disappearance raised various suspicions.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 疑 ('doubt' or 'suspicion'), try breaking it down into its components and creating a memorable story. Picture an 'arrow' (矢, や) stuck in a 'foot' or 'leg' (疋, ひき, represented by the simplified bottom-right component). Below the arrow and foot, you see a small 'spoon' (匕, ひ). Imagine someone attempting to walk, but an arrow in their foot forces them to halt and hesitate. They clutch the small spoon, perhaps trying to dig out the arrow, but are consumed by 'doubt' and 'suspicion.' They question whether they can succeed or if someone deliberately placed it there. This pain and inability to move forward naturally lead to questioning and uncertainty. This vivid image of being physically halted and mentally confused by an unexpected 'arrow' of trouble will help you recall that 疑 means 'doubt' or 'suspicion.' The character's own complexity mirrors the intricate feeling of doubt and the struggle to resolve it.