Translation guide
How to express suspicion toward a person, statement, or situation in Japanese, from mild doubt to strong distrust.
Expressing that you feel something is not right or that someone may be hiding something.
The most direct and common verb for 'to suspect' or 'to doubt'. Can be used for people, statements, or situations.
I'm suspicious of his story.
I suspect she is lying.
Literally 'think it's suspicious'. Very natural for expressing a gut feeling that something is off.
I'm a bit suspicious of that person.
A noun meaning 'suspicion' or 'doubt', often used in formal or news contexts. Commonly used with 持つ (to have).
Suspecting someone of a specific bad act, like cheating, stealing, or lying.
Pattern: [person] を疑う. Directly suspect someone of something. The specific act is often implied or stated with ～のではないか.
I'm suspicious of him.
I suspect he cheated on the exam.
Verb meaning 'to suspect' or 'to be suspicious of', slightly more formal than 疑う. Often used when you find someone's behavior questionable.
Literally 'cast doubt on'. Used when you openly express suspicion toward someone.
It's rude to be suspicious of him.
Being cautious because you suspect potential danger or trickery.
Means 'to be on guard' or 'to be wary'. Used when you are cautious about a person or situation that might be harmful.
I'm suspicious of that man (and being careful).
Means 'to be careful' or 'to be cautious'. Implies taking precautions because you suspect something might go wrong.
I'm being cautious because it might be a scam.
Playfully suggesting someone is up to something, often among friends.
In English, 'be suspicious of' often implies active distrust. In Japanese, 疑う can mean both 'suspect' and 'doubt'. Context clarifies which is meant. For simple disbelief, 信じない (I don't believe) may be clearer.
疑う is a direct verb for suspecting someone or something. 怪しいと思う is more about your impression that something is off. Use 疑う when you have a specific target of suspicion; use 怪しいと思う for a vague feeling.
I suspect he is the culprit.
I think this situation is suspicious.
I think this story is suspicious.
彼に対して疑惑を持っている。
I have suspicions about him.
I'm suspicious of his behavior.
Colloquial adjective meaning 'fishy' or 'shady'. Stronger than 怪しい, often implies distrust.
That salesman seems really suspicious.