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douter

to doubt

verb doo-TEH Less Common
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Usage Note

Douter takes the preposition de when expressing doubt about something (douter de son honnêteté, to doubt his honesty). The reflexive se douter de has the opposite meaning: 'to suspect' or 'to have an inkling of' (je m'en doutais, I suspected as much). This reversal of meaning in the reflexive form is a classic learner trap. The noun doute means 'doubt'.

Examples

"Elle doute de sa propre capacité."

Natural Translation

She doubts her own ability.

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