zwîfel

Zwîfel is a Frisian noun meaning doubt or skepticism regarding a claim, situation, or future outcome. It denotes a state of uncertain belief, wavering confidence, or suspicion about whether something is true, accurate, or reliable. In everyday speech, zwîfel can express hesitation or a cautious approach to decisions; in philosophy and science, the term is used to describe doubt as a methodological principle—questioning assumptions, seeking evidence, and examining argument quality.

Etymology: Zwîfel is cognate with the Dutch twijfel and the German Zweifel, all from a common Proto-Germanic root related to uncertainty. The Frisian form shows standard parallels with other West Germanic languages, though pronunciation and spelling reflect Frisian phonology.

Usage: The word appears in formal and informal registers. It primarily signals doubt about factual claims but can also signify skepticism toward plans, predictions, or moral stands. In Frisian varieties, doubt-related speech often involves compounds and verbal constructions built around zwîfel.

Related terms: doubt, uncertainty, skepticism; in Dutch: twijfel; in German: Zweifel.

See also: Skepticism; Epistemology; Language of Frisian.