Word
疑問
Meaning in Englishquestion, doubt, problem
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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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)
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