Inklingo

How to Say "doubts" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dudas

/DOO-das//ˈduðas/

nounA2general
Use 'dudas' when referring to general uncertainty, lack of confidence, or questions about something.
A confused character standing at a fork in the road, unsure which way to go, illustrating the feeling of having doubts or uncertainties.

Examples

Si tienes dudas, puedes preguntar a la profesora.

If you have doubts, you can ask the teacher.

Ella tenía serias dudas sobre la honestidad del vendedor.

She had serious doubts about the honesty of the seller.

Using 'Tener'

In Spanish, you 'have doubts' (tener dudas), unlike English where we often 'are doubtful' or 'have doubts'.

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Tener'

Mistake: “Soy dudas.”

Correction: Tengo dudas. (You use the verb 'tener'—to have—to express this feeling.)

sospechas

so-SPEH-chas/soˈspe.tʃas/

nounB1general
Use 'sospechas' when you have an unproven theory or belief that something is wrong or that someone is guilty.
A child hiding behind a large green bush, peeking out with raised eyebrows and a suspicious expression directed at a closed red box sitting alone in the grass.

Examples

Tengo serias sospechas sobre la nueva empleada.

I have serious suspicions about the new employee.

Las sospechas del policía resultaron ser ciertas.

The police officer's suspicions turned out to be true.

No hay pruebas, solo sospechas.

There is no proof, just suspicions.

A Note on Gender

Remember that 'sospechas' is the plural of the feminine noun 'sospecha'. You will always use feminine articles or adjectives with it, like 'las sospechas' or 'mis sospechas'.

sombras

SOHM-bras/ˈsom.bɾas/

nounB2general
Use 'sombras' to express a state of uncertainty or apprehension, often about the future or the reliability of something.
A simplified cartoon figure standing hesitantly at a fork in a dirt road, looking confused about which path to take. One path is clear, and the other leads into a patch of dark, obscuring fog.

Examples

La crisis puso muchas sombras sobre el futuro de la empresa.

The crisis cast many doubts on the company's future.

Hay que sacar a la luz las sombras del pasado político.

We must bring the secrets (or dark parts) of the political past to light.

Figurative Extension

This meaning is an easy extension of the physical shadow: just as a shadow conceals things, 'sombras' can mean hidden problems, doubts, or lack of clarity.

Dudas vs. Sospechas vs. Sombras

Learners often confuse 'dudas' (general uncertainty) with 'sospechas' (unproven theories) and 'sombras' (apprehension). Remember that 'dudas' is the most neutral term for any kind of questioning or lack of certainty. Use 'sospechas' only when you suspect wrongdoing, and 'sombras' for a more figurative sense of unease.

Related Translations

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