duda
/doo-da/
doubt
As a noun, duda means doubt or uncertainty. This illustration shows a character unsure which path to take.
duda(Noun)
doubt
?A feeling of uncertainty
,question
?When you need clarification on something
uncertainty
?The state of being unsure
,hesitation
?A pause before doing something
📝 In Action
Tengo una duda sobre cómo funciona esto.
A2I have a question about how this works.
No me cabe la menor duda de que tienes razón.
B1I don't have the slightest doubt that you're right.
Sin duda, este es el mejor restaurante de la ciudad.
B1Without a doubt, this is the best restaurant in the city.
Sus palabras sembraron la duda en el equipo.
B2His words sowed doubt among the team.
💡 Grammar Points
Duda vs. Pregunta
'Duda' is the feeling of uncertainty you have inside your head. 'Pregunta' is the actual question you ask out loud to get information. If you raise your hand in class, you have a 'duda,' but you ask a 'pregunta'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Asking a 'duda'
Mistake: "Voy a hacerte una duda."
Correction: Voy a hacerte una pregunta. 'Preguntas' are what you 'make' or 'ask' ('hacer'). You 'have' ('tener') a 'duda'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Certainty
The phrase 'sin duda' (without a doubt) is a fantastic way to sound more fluent. You can use it at the beginning of a sentence to show you're very sure about what you're saying.
Duda is the third-person singular present conjugation of the verb dudar (to doubt or hesitate). Here, a child hesitates before crossing the water.
duda(Verb)
he/she/you (formal) doubts
?Present tense form of 'dudar'
doubt / hesitate
?Command form for 'tú' (you, informal)
📝 In Action
Él duda que lleguemos a tiempo.
B1He doubts that we will arrive on time.
Mi madre duda de mis habilidades en la cocina.
B1My mother doubts my skills in the kitchen.
Si no estás seguro, duda. Es mejor que equivocarse.
B2If you're not sure, doubt. It's better than making a mistake.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Doubt' Trigger
When you say you doubt something with 'dudar que', Spanish requires a special verb form (called the subjunctive) for what follows. For example: 'Dudo que venga' (I doubt that he will come). This form shows your uncertainty.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Subjunctive
Mistake: "Dudo que él tiene la respuesta."
Correction: Dudo que él tenga la respuesta. Because 'dudo que' expresses doubt, the next verb needs to change its ending to show that uncertainty.
⭐ Usage Tips
More than Just 'Doubt'
'Dudar' can also mean 'to hesitate'. A very common and encouraging phrase is 'No dudes en preguntar,' which means 'Don't hesitate to ask.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: duda
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence is correct for saying 'I have a question' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'duda' and 'pregunta'?
Think of it this way: a 'duda' is the feeling of confusion or uncertainty in your mind. A 'pregunta' is the sentence you say out loud to fix that confusion. You have a 'duda' about a topic, so you ask a 'pregunta' to the teacher.
When do I use 'dudar de' versus just 'dudar'?
You use 'dudar de' when you are doubting a specific person or thing. For example, 'Dudo de su historia' (I doubt his story). You use 'dudar' by itself (or with 'que') when you are doubting a situation or action, like 'Dudo que llueva' (I doubt it will rain).