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质疑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
质疑zhìyíto call into questionHSK 6, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #4106, Hard
质疑zhìyíto question (truth or validity)HSK 6, unknown, 22 strokes, rank #4106, Hard
zhìyí(zhi4yi2)zhi yi T4
  1. 1to call into question
  2. 2to question (truth or validity)
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March 24, 2026

质疑(質疑)zhìyí(zhi4yi2)

质疑 (zhì yí) means to call into question or to express doubt about the truth or validity of something. It is commonly used in discussions, debates, and academic contexts where critical thinking is encouraged, highlighting the importance of questioning assumptions and statements.

Strokes22Frequency#4106DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, questioning authority or traditional views can sometimes be seen as disrespectful, so the way one expresses 质疑 can carry significant weight in social interactions. It's important to approach such discussions thoughtfully.

Memory tip

Imagine a judge with a '质' (quality) stamp that says '质疑' (question), emphasizing that every claim must pass the quality check. The character '质' suggests quality, while '疑' relates to doubt, creating a visual of questioning the quality of an argument.

Meanings of 质疑

zhìyí(zhi4yi2)
1to call into question
2to question (truth or validity)
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About 质疑

质疑Simplified
質疑Traditional
22Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 质疑

Quick Contrast

质疑 (zhìyí) vs 怀疑 (huáiyí): use 质疑 when questioning the validity of a statement or argument, while 怀疑 is more about personal doubt or suspicion.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 质疑 with '质问' (to interrogate), which implies a more aggressive questioning style. 质疑 is more suitable for formal discussions, while informal conversations might use simpler phrases. Watch your tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

Though not specifically at an HSK level, 质疑 is relevant for learners focusing on critical thinking and argumentation in Chinese. Students should practice using it in context, especially in discussions about topics like ethics, science, or politics.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 质疑 in informal contexts, where a more straightforward term like '问' (to ask) would suffice. For example, saying '我质疑你' (I question you) can sound too harsh; instead, try '我有疑问' (I have questions).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 质疑

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Component characters

质zhìcharacter
HSK 58 strokes厂
View full entry
疑yíto doubt
HSK 714 strokes疋
View full entry

How to say to call into question in Chinese

“to call into question” in Chinese is质疑zhìyí

质疑 (zhì yí) means to call into question or to express doubt about the truth or validity of something. It is commonly used in discussions, debates, and academic contexts where critical thinking is encouraged, highlighting the importance of questioning assumptions and statements.

When to use 质疑

Be careful not to confuse 质疑 with '质问' (to interrogate), which implies a more aggressive questioning style. 质疑 is more suitable for formal discussions, while informal conversations might use simpler phrases. Watch your tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

质疑 or something close to it

质疑 (zhìyí) vs 怀疑 (huáiyí): use 质疑 when questioning the validity of a statement or argument, while 怀疑 is more about personal doubt or suspicion.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 质疑 in informal contexts, where a more straightforward term like '问' (to ask) would suffice. For example, saying '我质疑你' (I question you) can sound too harsh; instead, try '我有疑问' (I have questions).

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质
疑

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Frequently asked questions about 质疑

Use 质疑 when you want to express doubt or challenge someone's statement, especially in formal or academic settings.

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