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March 24, 2026
疑惑yíhuò(yi2huo4)
The term 疑惑 (yíhuò) refers to a state of doubt or uncertainty, often used when someone is skeptical about the truth of a statement or situation. It can imply a lack of trust or belief, and is commonly used in both personal and formal contexts to express confusion or misgivings about something.
Strokes26Frequency#8002DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing doubt or suspicion can be seen as a sign of caution, reflecting the importance placed on trust in personal and business relationships. Using 疑惑 appropriately can show that you are carefully considering the information presented to you, which is valued in Chinese communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a detective (疑) who is puzzled (惑) over a tricky case. The character 疑 has a radical that resembles a person showing doubt, while 惑 includes elements that suggest confusion. Picture the detective scratching their head, wondering if they can trust the evidence, helping you remember both the sound and meaning.
Meanings of 疑惑
yíhuò(yi2huo4)
1to doubt
2to distrust
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 疑惑
疑惑Simplified
26Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8002Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 疑惑
Podcast: 疑惑
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AI Study Notes for 疑惑
Quick Contrast
困惑 (kùnhuò) - use 疑惑 when emphasizing doubt about truth or belief, while困惑 refers more to confusion or being puzzled without the same implication of skepticism.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 疑惑 with similar words like 怀疑 (huáiyí, to suspect), but 疑惑 conveys a deeper sense of confusion or puzzlement. It is typically used in both formal and informal registers, and common collocations include 疑惑不解 (yíhuò bùjiě, to be puzzled) and 产生疑惑 (chǎnshēng yíhuò, to have doubts).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 疑惑 connects to other advanced vocabulary that discusses feelings and thoughts, such as 迷惑 (míhuò, to be perplexed) and 怀疑 (huáiyí, to suspect). Focus on understanding its nuances in different contexts, particularly in expressing emotions related to trust and belief.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 疑惑 in contexts where 怀疑 would be more suitable, such as saying '我对他的解释有疑惑' (I have doubts about his explanation) when it would be better to say '我对他的解释怀疑'. Always consider the depth of doubt you wish to express.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 疑惑
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The term 疑惑 (yíhuò) refers to a state of doubt or uncertainty, often used when someone is skeptical about the truth of a statement or situation. It can imply a lack of trust or belief, and is commonly used in both personal and formal contexts to express confusion or misgivings about something.
When to use 疑惑
Learners often confuse 疑惑 with similar words like 怀疑 (huáiyí, to suspect), but 疑惑 conveys a deeper sense of confusion or puzzlement. It is typically used in both formal and informal registers, and common collocations include 疑惑不解 (yíhuò bùjiě, to be puzzled) and 产生疑惑 (chǎnshēng yíhuò, to have doubts).
疑惑 or something close to it
困惑 (kùnhuò) - use 疑惑 when emphasizing doubt about truth or belief, while困惑 refers more to confusion or being puzzled without the same implication of skepticism.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 疑惑 in contexts where 怀疑 would be more suitable, such as saying '我对他的解释有疑惑' (I have doubts about his explanation) when it would be better to say '我对他的解释怀疑'. Always consider the depth of doubt you wish to express.
Write 疑惑
疑
惑
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Grammar Patterns of 疑惑
疑惑 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
令人____的是，她看上去就像一位面熟的邻家阿姨或是祖母。
She looks disconcertingly like a familiar aunt or grandmother.
Example Sentences for 疑惑 (18)
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1
令人疑惑的是，她看上去就像一位面熟的邻家阿姨或是祖母。
líng rén yí huò de shì， ， tā kàn shàng qù jiù xiàng yī wèi miàn shú de lín jiā ā yí huò shì zǔ。
She looks disconcertingly like a familiar aunt or grandmother.
2
神父在亮光下皱起了眉头，一脸疑惑。
shén fù zài liàng guāng xià zhòu qǐ le méi tóu， ， yī liǎn yí。
The priest frowned into the light, his face puzzled.
3
他虽疑惑但还是笑了笑。
tā suī yí huò dàn huán shì xiào le xiào。
He smiled, unsullied by doubt.
4
乔用手摸了一把脸，看上去疑惑不解。
qiáo yòng shǒu mō le yī bǎ liǎn， ， kàn shàng qù yí huò bù。
Joe passed his hand over his face and looked puzzled.
5
我只是在疑惑是否该在房间那头敲碎您的脑袋.
wǒ zhī shì zài yí huò shì fǒu gāi zài fáng jiān nà tóu qiāo suì nín de nǎo dài.
I'm wondering whether to scatter your brains over the room.
6
基顿疑惑地摇了摇头。
jī dùn yí huò dì yáo le yáo tóu。
Keeton shook his head doubtfully.
7
面对陌生的语言，他显得非常疑惑。
Miànduì mòshēng de yǔyán, tā xiǎnde fēicháng yíhuò.
Faced with the unfamiliar language, he appeared very doubtful.
8
她对这份合同的条款表示疑惑，需要进一步讨论。
Tā duì zhè fèn hétóng de tiáokuǎn biǎoshì yíhuò, xūyào jìnyībù tǎolùn.
She expressed doubt about the terms of the contract and needed further discussion.
9
小王对这次会议的结果感到疑惑，因为他没有收到任何通知。
Xiǎo Wáng duì zhè cì huìyì de jiéguǒ gǎndào yíhuò, yīnwèi tā méiyǒu shōudào rènhé tōngzhī.
Xiao Wang doubted the outcome of the meeting because he hadn't received any notification.
Scientists are doubtful about the cause of this phenomenon and are still researching it.
17
他对朋友的话表示疑惑，因为对方的说法与事实不符。
Tā duì péngyǒu de huà biǎoshì yíhuò, yīnwèi duìfāng de shuōfǎ yǔ shìshí bùfú.
He doubted his friend's words because what was said did not align with the facts.
18
经理对员工的解释持有疑惑，决定进一步调查。
Jīnglǐ duì yuángōng de jiěshì chíyǒu yíhuò, juédìng jìnyībù diàochá.
The manager doubted the employee's explanation and decided to investigate further.
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Cultural Notes for 疑惑
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, expressing doubt is often more direct and can be seen as a challenge, while in Chinese culture, it may be delivered more subtly to maintain harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions about 疑惑
Yes, 疑惑 is appropriate for both written and spoken contexts, often appearing in discussions about trust and belief.
怀疑 emphasizes suspicion or skepticism, while 疑惑 implies a more profound confusion or puzzlement.
Yes, although it might appear more frequently in formal discussions or written texts.
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