Doubt or Question

<<Previous By: Richard Blazek, last updated: Friday, May 27, 2005 Next>>

Most dictionaries translate the word duda as doubt. When some of my Spanish colleagues are introduced to a new project, they often say, "I have many doubts" (tengo muchas dudas).What they mean to say is, "I have many questions". In English it is rare to speak of having many doubts except in the case of one's religious beliefs. It is, however, quite common to reply, "I doubt it", when asked something like, "Will this report be ready by Friday?"