1.
doubtful, questionable, uncertain
Describes something whose truth, accuracy, or likelihood is uncertain. Used when there is reason to doubt a claim, outcome, or possibility.
成功するかどうか疑わしい。
It's doubtful whether it will succeed.
その情報の信頼性は疑わしい。
The reliability of that information is questionable.
約束の時間に間に合うかどうか疑わしいので、先に始めてください。
It's doubtful I'll make it in time, so please start without me.
2.
suspicious, shady, suspect
Describes a person or situation that arouses suspicion. Implies something is not trustworthy or seems dishonest.
疑わしい人物が目撃された。
A suspicious individual was spotted.
あの会社の経営は疑わしいところがある。
There's something suspicious about that company's management.
警察は疑わしい取引がないか、口座の記録を調べている。
The police are examining the account records for any suspicious transactions.
FORMATION:
Derived from the verb 疑う (to doubt, to suspect) + しい (adjective-forming suffix). The adjective describes the quality of being doubt-worthy or suspicion-arousing.
USAGE:
Often used predicatively with かどうか疑わしい (it's doubtful whether...) to express uncertainty about outcomes. In the suspicious sense, frequently modifies people or actions.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 怪しい: suspicious in a strange or eerie way; broader in meaning
- 疑わしい: specifically suggests reason to doubt truthfulness or legitimacy
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 疑わしい人物: suspicious person
- 疑わしい行動: suspicious behavior
- かどうか疑わしい: doubtful whether