Word
疑問
Meaning in Englishquestion, doubt, problem
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
Related sentences
Word context
What it means
It means doubt or a question; a state of uncertainty or a matter that invites inquiry, prompting clarification or further discussion.
Main meanings
- General sense of doubt or uncertainty about a matter
- Topics or issues presented as needing further clarification or investigation
- In grammar and discourse, the noun used to refer to a question or an interrogative concept (e.g., 疑問文)
- Abstract or philosophical inquiries treated as fundamental questions
How to use it
Used in formal and neutral contexts to express uncertainty or raise inquiries; common collocations include 疑問がある, 疑問点, 疑問文, 疑問を呈する; typical in academic writing, journalism, and debates.
Variants and close terms
- 疑い (utagai) — doubt, suspicion
- 質問 (shitsumon) — question, inquiry
- 問い (toi) — question, inquiry
- 確信 (kakushin) — conviction, certainty
Composition
- 疑: doubt, suspicion
- 問: to ask, question
- Combined meaning: a state that invites inquiry or expresses doubt, i.e., a question or matter to be clarified
Etymology
Composed of 疑 and 問; the on‑yomi readings gi and mon combine to form gimon.
Word class
Noun (名詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N1
問屋
tonya
wholesale store
N1
疑惑
giwaku
doubt, misgivings, suspicion
N1
問い合わせる
toiawaseru
to inquire, to seek information
N1
質疑
shitsugi
question
N2
～問
～mon
counter for questions
N2
問い合わせ
toiawase
inquiry
N2
問答
mondou
questions and answers, dialogue
N3
疑う
utagau
doubt, suspect, distrust
N3
学問
gakumon
scholarship, academic study, learning
Kanji