dudar
/doo-DAHR/
to doubt
A person unsure of which path to take, representing the feeling of doubt.
dudar(verb)
to doubt
?to be unsure about a fact or a person
to question
?to have reservations about something
📝 In Action
Dudo que ella tenga la llave.
B1I doubt that she has the key.
No dudo de tu honestidad.
A2I don't doubt your honesty.
Muchos dudan de sus intenciones.
B1Many doubt his intentions.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Doubt' Trigger
When you say 'Dudo que...' (I doubt that...), the next verb must change its form to show uncertainty. This special form is often called the subjunctive.
Using 'de'
If you are doubting a specific thing or person, you almost always use the little connector word 'de' (e.g., 'Dudo de su palabra').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Positive vs. Negative
Mistake: "No dudo que sea verdad."
Correction: No dudo que es verdad. When you are SURE (saying 'I don't doubt'), use the normal verb form. Only use the 'uncertainty' form when you actually have a doubt.
⭐ Usage Tips
Natural Sounding Doubts
To sound more like a native speaker, use 'lo dudo' as a standalone phrase for 'I doubt it' when answering a question.
A moment of hesitation before taking a step.
dudar(verb)
to hesitate
?to pause or waver before acting
to waver
?to be unable to decide between options
📝 In Action
No dudó ni un segundo en saltar al agua.
B1He didn't hesitate for a second to jump into the water.
Dudó un momento antes de entrar.
B1She hesitated for a moment before entering.
💡 Grammar Points
Hesitation with 'en'
When you say you don't hesitate 'to do' something, Spanish uses the word 'en' followed by the verb: 'No dudes en llamarme'.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dudar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'I doubt that he knows'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'dudar' a regular verb?
Yes! It follows the standard rules for all verbs ending in -ar.
When should I use 'de' with 'dudar'?
Use 'de' when you doubt a person or a thing (Dudo de ti). You don't usually need it when saying 'I doubt that...' (Dudo que...).