bezweifle

Bezweifle is the first-person singular present indicative form of the German verb bezweifeln. The verb bezweifeln means to doubt or question the truth, validity, or accuracy of something. It is used when asserting that a claim, statement, hypothesis, or expectation is not clearly true or convincing. The verb can take a subordinate clause, as in Ich bezweifle, dass er recht hat, or be used with a direct object, for example Ich bezweifle diese Behauptung.

In usage, bezweifeln signals a degree of skepticism or critical examination. It can appear in everyday speech as well as in formal writing. Common contexts include evaluating arguments, evidence, or announced plans. The phrase to cast doubt on something can also be expressed with related forms such as anzweifeln or through the passive Sie wird bezweifelt, though bezweifeln remains the more direct, agency-focused option.

Grammatical notes: Bezweifle forms through the standard German paradigm. Präsens forms include ich bezweifle, du bezweifelst, er bezweifelt, wir bezweifeln, ihr bezweifelt, sie bezweifeln. The perfect is habe bezweifelt; the simple past is bezweifelte. Subjunktiv I (for indirect speech) includes ich bezweifle, du bezweifelest, er bezweifle, etc. The noun form Der Bezweifeln noun exists but is uncommon; the related noun Zweifel means doubt.

Related terms include zweifeln (to doubt) as the intransitive base, anzweifeln (to challenge or question something more directly), and phrases like in Zweifel ziehen (to cast into doubt).