noun
doubt, uncertainty
B1
Zweifel (der) means 'doubt' or 'uncertainty'. It’s a masculine noun whose plural is the same (die Zweifel). Genitive singular is des Zweifels. Often used in expressions like 'Zweifel haben' (to have doubts). No special preposition; regular declension patterns and common usage.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Ich habe Zweifel, ob das die beste Lösung ist.
I have doubts about whether that's the best solution.
Ich habe Zweifel.
I have doubts.
Mehrere Experten äußerten Zweifel, obwohl die Studie sorgfältig durchgeführt worden war.
Several experts expressed doubts, although the study had been carried out carefully.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine two question marks (zwei = two) above a head to recall 'Zweifel' as doubt/uncertainty
Sounds like English 'doubt' starts with a soft sound — think 'Zwei-' as 'two' thoughts causing hesitation
DER Zweifel — imagine a solid male figure (DER) holding a question mark to remember masculine gender
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Often used in fixed expressions like 'an etwas Zweifel haben' (to have doubts about something). Can be countable or uncountable depending on context.