质疑 (zhìyí) — to question; to challenge

质疑 (zhìyí)

质疑 means to question or challenge the truth, validity, or authority of something, implying a critical skepticism that goes beyond simple curiosity.

Meanings

1. [verb] to question; to challenge; to express doubt about
2. [noun] a challenge; a critical question; skepticism

Example Sentences

研究人员对该实验的方法论提出了质疑。 Yánjiū rényuán duì gāi shíyàn de fānglùn lùn tíchūle zhìyí. Researchers raised questions about the methodology of the experiment.

公众对政府的处理方式表示质疑。 Gōngzhòng duì zhèngfǔ de chǔlǐ fāngshì biǎoshì zhìyí. The public expressed doubts about the government's handling of the matter.

他的结论遭到了同行的强烈质疑。 Tā de jiélùn zāodàole tóngháng de qiángliè zhìyí. His conclusions were strongly challenged by peers.

科学的发展离不开对既有理论的大胆质疑。 Kēxué de fāzhǎn lí bù kāi duì jìyǒu lǐlùn de dǎdǎn zhìyí. Scientific progress cannot be separated from bold questioning of existing theories.

媒体对这项调查的公正性提出了质疑。 Méitǐ duì zhè xiàng diàochá de gōngzhèngxìng tíchūle zhìyí. The media raised questions about the impartiality of the survey.

质疑权威需要勇气，但这是独立思考的体现。 Zhìyí quánwēi xūyào yǒngqì, dàn zhè shì dúlì sīkǎo de tǐxiàn. Questioning authority requires courage, but it is a reflection of independent thinking.

Collocations

Usage Notes

质疑 carries a stronger, more critical connotation than 怀疑 (huáiyí, to suspect/doubt). While 怀疑 can refer to personal suspicion or uncertainty, 质疑 implies a public or formal challenge directed at a claim, authority, or method. It is a key term in academic, journalistic, and democratic discourse, associated with critical thinking.

提出质疑 (to raise a challenge) is the most natural verbal structure. 遭到质疑 (to come under scrutiny/challenge) is common in passive constructions. At B2, learners should use 质疑 in contexts involving institutional or intellectual challenges.

Memory Hook

ZHI (质, to question/interrogate) + YI (疑, to doubt) = to interrogate something you doubt.