猜疑心(さいぎしん)

A literary word describing a deep, persistent tendency to distrust others. Composed of 猜疑(さいぎ) (suspicion, jealousy) + 心(しん) (heart, mind). The character 猜(さい) specifically implies jealous suspicion.

Common collocations

• 猜疑心(さいぎしん)が強(つよ)い: to be very suspicious
• 猜疑心(さいぎしん)を抱(いだ)く: to harbor suspicion
• 猜疑心(さいぎしん)に駆(か)られる: to be driven by suspicion
• 猜疑心(さいぎしん)の塊(かたまり): a bundle of suspicion (very distrustful person)

Similar words

• 疑(うたが)い: doubt, suspicion — everyday word for doubt or suspicion
• 不信感(ふしんかん): distrust, mistrust — more neutral; can refer to specific distrust
• 警戒心(けいかいしん): wariness, vigilance — more positive; implies reasonable caution
• 被害妄想(ひがいもうそう): persecution complex — stronger; implies delusion

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Appears in literature, psychology, and formal writing. In everyday conversation, 疑(うたが)い深(ぶか)い (suspicious, skeptical) is more natural.