At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn basic verbs. While 'desconfiar' is a B1 word, you can understand it as the opposite of 'confiar' (to trust). Think of it like saying 'I do not trust'. At this stage, you might not use it yourself, but you should recognize it when someone talks about not believing in something. A simple way to remember it is: No + Confiar = Desconfiar. Focus on the idea of 'No trust'. You might hear it in simple phrases like 'No desconfíes', which means 'Don't be suspicious' or 'Don't worry'.
At the A2 level, you start to express feelings and opinions. 'Desconfiar' is useful for explaining why you don't want to do something. You should learn that it needs the word 'de' after it. For example, 'Desconfío de él' (I distrust him). You can use it to talk about people you don't know well or strange emails. It is a step up from just saying 'No me gusta' (I don't like). It shows you are thinking about whether someone is honest or not. You will see this word in basic stories or when people give advice about safety.
As a B1 learner, 'desconfiar' is a core part of your vocabulary. You should be able to use it fluently in various tenses like the present, past, and future. You understand that it expresses a lack of security or confidence. You also know that it requires the preposition 'de'. At this level, you can use it to discuss social issues, like why people distrust the government or the news. You are also starting to see how it can trigger the subjunctive mood when you express a doubt about an action, such as 'Desconfío de que el plan funcione' (I distrust that the plan will work).
At the B2 level, you use 'desconfiar' with more precision and nuance. You can distinguish it from synonyms like 'sospechar' or 'recelar'. You use it in professional contexts to discuss risk management or reliability. You are comfortable using the noun form 'desconfianza' and the adjective 'desconfiado'. You might use it in complex sentences with multiple clauses, and you understand its use in idiomatic expressions. You can also use it to describe complex character motivations in literature or film, explaining the psychological reasons why a character might distrust their allies.
At the C1 level, you recognize the stylistic impact of 'desconfiar' in formal and literary Spanish. You can use it to convey subtle shades of skepticism or cynicism. You are aware of its etymological roots and how it relates to the broader concept of 'confianza' in Hispanic sociology. You can use it in academic writing to critique theories or sources. You also understand its use in legal and political discourse where 'desconfianza' is a technical term for a lack of confidence in a leader (moción de censura). Your usage is natural, and you never miss the 'de' preposition.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'desconfiar'. You can use it effortlessly in any register, from street slang to the highest academic prose. You understand the historical evolution of the word and can use it in creative writing to build tension or characterize a 'desconfiado' protagonist. You are sensitive to regional variations in how suspicion is expressed and can use 'desconfiar' alongside archaic or highly specialized synonyms like 'maliciar' or 'barruntar' to achieve specific rhetorical effects. You can also explain the deep cultural implications of 'desconfianza' in historical events.

desconfiar in 30 Sekunden

  • Desconfiar means 'to distrust' or 'to be suspicious'.
  • It always takes the preposition 'de' (e.g., desconfiar de alguien).
  • It is the direct opposite of 'confiar' (to trust).
  • Commonly used for people, news, technology, and gut feelings.

The Spanish verb desconfiar is a powerful term that captures the essence of doubt, skepticism, and the withdrawal of trust. At its core, it is the opposite of confiar (to trust). When you desconfiar, you are not merely uncertain; you are actively feeling a lack of security or belief in someone's honesty, a thing's reliability, or the outcome of a situation. It is a B1-level word because it moves beyond basic physical actions into the realm of emotional and psychological states. In Spanish-speaking cultures, where personal relationships and 'confianza' (trust/rapport) are foundational to social and business interactions, using 'desconfiar' carries significant weight. It implies a breach in the expected social contract or a protective intuition against potential harm or deceit.

Social Nuance
In many Latin American and Spanish contexts, desconfiar is often used to describe a gut feeling. It is not always based on hard evidence but rather on a 'presentimiento' or a feeling that something is not quite right.
Grammatical Requirement
Crucially, the verb is almost always followed by the preposition de when specifying the object of distrust. You do not 'desconfiar someone'; you 'desconfiar DE alguien'.

Es normal desconfiar de las ofertas que parecen demasiado buenas para ser verdad.

Translation: It is normal to distrust offers that seem too good to be true.

The term is ubiquitous in literature, news, and daily conversation. In a political context, citizens might desconfiar de las promesas of a candidate. In a romantic context, one might desconfiar de la fidelidad of a partner. It is a versatile verb that scales from minor suspicion to deep-seated betrayal. Understanding the depth of this word allows a learner to express complex interpersonal dynamics that are central to the human experience.

No tengo motivos para desconfiar de mis compañeros de trabajo.

Ella empezó a desconfiar cuando él cambió su versión de los hechos.

Using desconfiar correctly requires attention to its prepositional nature. Unlike the English 'to distrust', which is transitive (e.g., 'I distrust him'), the Spanish verb is intransitive and requires de to link to the noun or person being distrusted. This is the most common error for English speakers. Furthermore, the verb can be used in various tenses to indicate the duration or onset of suspicion. For example, using the preterite desconfié implies a specific moment when trust was lost, whereas the imperfect desconfiaba suggests a lingering, ongoing state of doubt.

Prepositional Link
Always remember: Desconfiar + de + [Noun/Pronoun]. Example: 'Desconfío de los extraños' (I distrust strangers).
Subjunctive Mood
Because desconfiar expresses doubt or a subjective feeling, it often triggers the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. Example: 'Desconfío de que él diga la verdad' (I doubt that he is telling the truth).

Si desconfías de la calidad del producto, es mejor no comprarlo.

In formal writing, 'desconfiar' is used to analyze risks or evaluate credibility. In legal or journalistic texts, one might find phrases like 'desconfiar de los testimonios' (to distrust the testimonies). In casual speech, it is often used with 'un poco' or 'bastante' to qualify the level of suspicion. You might hear someone say, 'Desconfío un poco de ese tipo' (I distrust that guy a bit). The verb is also useful in the reflexive-like construction 'hacer desconfiar', meaning 'to make someone distrustful'. For instance, 'Su actitud me hace desconfiar' (His attitude makes me suspicious).

Muchos ciudadanos desconfían de las instituciones gubernamentales.

You will encounter desconfiar in a variety of real-world scenarios across the Spanish-speaking world. In Mexico, you might hear a parent telling a child, 'No desconfíes de tus instintos' (Don't distrust your instincts). In Spain, it is frequently used in news broadcasts regarding economic instability or political scandals, where commentators discuss why the public might 'desconfiar de los bancos'. The word is also a staple in Spanish soap operas (telenovelas), where betrayal is a central theme. Characters will often cry out, '¡Cómo pude desconfiar de ti!' (How could I distrust you!) during moments of dramatic revelation.

In Business
Used when evaluating partners or contracts. 'Desconfiamos de los proveedores que no ofrecen garantías claras.'
In Technology
Cybersecurity experts use it when talking about phishing. 'Hay que desconfiar de los correos electrónicos de remitentes desconocidos.'

El detective empezó a desconfiar de la coartada del sospechoso.

Beyond formal contexts, 'desconfiar' is used in street wisdom. There is a common cultural sentiment of being 'desconfiado' (the adjective form) as a survival mechanism in large cities. People might warn you: 'En esta ciudad, hay que desconfiar hasta de tu propia sombra' (In this city, you have to distrust even your own shadow). This highlights the word's role in expressing caution and self-preservation. Whether you are listening to a podcast about psychology, reading a thriller novel, or negotiating a deal in Madrid, this verb will be your primary tool for expressing the absence of trust.

The most prevalent mistake English speakers make when using desconfiar is the omission of the preposition 'de'. In English, 'distrust' is a transitive verb that takes a direct object: 'I distrust the system.' In Spanish, saying *'Desconfío el sistema'* is grammatically incorrect and sounds jarring to native speakers. You must say, 'Desconfío DEL sistema'. This 'de' is non-negotiable and essential for fluency.

Mistake #1: Omission of 'de'
Incorrect: 'No desconfíes él'. Correct: 'No desconfíes DE él'.
Mistake #2: Confusing with 'Sospechar'
While related, 'sospechar' means to suspect a specific action (e.g., 'I suspect he stole it'), while 'desconfiar' is a general lack of trust in the person themselves.

Nunca deberías desconfiar de tu propia intuición.

Another common error is using 'desconfiar' when the speaker actually means 'disagree' (disentir) or 'dislike' (disgustar). Distrust is specifically about reliability and honesty. If you don't like someone's clothes, you don't 'desconfiar' of them; you simply don't like their style. Finally, learners often forget that 'desconfiar' is an intransitive verb and try to use it in the passive voice. In Spanish, we don't say 'He is distrusted by everyone' using a passive 'desconfiar' construction; instead, we say 'Todo el mundo desconfía de él'.

Spanish offers several synonyms for desconfiar, each with its own nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the precise word for the situation. Sospechar is the closest relative, but it usually implies a specific suspicion of wrongdoing. Recelar is a more literary or intense version, often suggesting a deep-seated fear or wariness. Dudar means 'to doubt', which is more intellectual and less emotional than 'desconfiar'.

Desconfiar vs. Sospechar
'Desconfiar' is a state of mind (I don't trust you). 'Sospechar' is an active thought (I think you did something wrong).
Recelar
This word implies being on guard. It is often used with animals or very cautious people. 'El perro recela de los extraños.'
Maliciar
A more colloquial and slightly archaic term meaning to suspect something bad or to have a 'hunch' about malice.

Es mejor desconfiar que ser engañado por falta de precaución.

If you want to express the opposite, you would use confiar (to trust) or fiarse (to rely on/trust). Interestingly, while 'confiar' uses 'en', its antonym 'desconfiar' uses 'de'. This switch is a fascinating quirk of the Spanish language that helps distinguish the positive flow of trust toward someone (en) from the defensive withdrawal of trust away from someone (de).

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'fid' is the same one found in 'fidelity', 'federal', and the name 'Fido' (traditionally a name for a loyal dog). So, 'desconfiar' is literally being 'without fidelity'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /des.kon.fjaɾ/
US /des.kon.fjaɾ/
Stress is on the last syllable: des-con-FIAR.
Reimt sich auf
fiar enviar ampliar limpiar cambiar estudiar anunciar vaciar
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like an English 'd'.
  • Stressing the 'i' instead of the 'a' in the final syllable.
  • Making the 'o' sound like 'oh' instead of a pure Spanish 'o'.
  • Failing to tap the 'r' at the end.
  • Separating the 'i' and 'a' into two syllables (it should be one).

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Common in news and literature; easy to recognize once you know 'confiar'.

Schreiben 4/5

The preposition 'de' is frequently forgotten by learners.

Sprechen 3/5

Easy to conjugate but requires mental effort to add 'de'.

Hören 2/5

Clear pronunciation, though 'desconfiar de' can sound like one word.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

confiar duda mentira verdad creer

Als Nächstes lernen

recelar sospechar traicionar fidelidad incertidumbre

Fortgeschritten

barruntar maliciar escepticismo suspicacia recelo

Wichtige Grammatik

Prepositional Verbs

Desconfiar de algo/alguien.

Subjunctive of Doubt

No creo que debas desconfiar.

Negative Imperative

No desconfíes de tus habilidades.

Contractions

Desconfío del (de + el) resultado.

Adjective formation

Él es un hombre desconfiado.

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

No debes desconfiar.

You shouldn't distrust.

Simple imperative negative.

2

Yo desconfío de eso.

I distrust that.

Present tense with 'de'.

3

Él es muy desconfiado.

He is very distrustful.

Using the adjective form.

4

No desconfíes de mí.

Don't distrust me.

Imperative negative with 'de'.

5

Ellos desconfían siempre.

They always distrust.

Third person plural present.

6

Es malo desconfiar.

It is bad to distrust.

Infinitive as a noun.

7

Ella desconfía del perro.

She distrusts the dog.

Contraction 'del' (de + el).

8

Confiar es mejor que desconfiar.

To trust is better than to distrust.

Comparison of infinitives.

1

Desconfío de los correos extraños.

I distrust strange emails.

Plural noun after 'de'.

2

Mi abuelo desconfía de la tecnología.

My grandfather distrusts technology.

Singular subject present tense.

3

No desconfíes de tus amigos.

Don't distrust your friends.

Preposition 'de' with possessive adjective.

4

Empecé a desconfiar cuando mintió.

I started to distrust when he lied.

Periphrastic verb phrase (empezar a + infinitive).

5

¿Por qué desconfías de mí?

Why do you distrust me?

Interrogative sentence.

6

Es normal desconfiar de un desconocido.

It is normal to distrust a stranger.

Impersonal expression.

7

Desconfiamos de esa oferta tan barata.

We distrust that very cheap offer.

First person plural present.

8

Ella siempre desconfía de las promesas.

She always distrusts promises.

Adverb of frequency 'siempre'.

1

Si desconfías de alguien, dímelo.

If you distrust someone, tell me.

Conditional 'si' with present indicative.

2

Muchos ciudadanos desconfían de los políticos.

Many citizens distrust politicians.

Common social usage.

3

Siempre he desconfiado de las dietas milagro.

I have always distrusted miracle diets.

Present perfect tense.

4

No desconfíes de tu talento.

Don't distrust your talent.

Abstract noun after 'de'.

5

Él desconfiaba de todos en la oficina.

He distrusted everyone in the office.

Imperfect tense for habitual state.

6

Desconfiar de los demás te hace solitario.

Distrusting others makes you lonely.

Infinitive as subject.

7

La policía desconfía de su testimonio.

The police distrust his testimony.

Collective noun 'la policía'.

8

Es posible que desconfíen de nosotros.

It is possible that they distrust us.

Triggers subjunctive after 'es posible que'.

1

Había motivos de sobra para desconfiar de su lealtad.

There were plenty of reasons to distrust his loyalty.

Noun phrase 'motivos de sobra'.

2

Desconfío de que el proyecto se termine a tiempo.

I doubt that the project will be finished on time.

Desconfiar de + que + subjunctive.

3

Su mirada me hizo desconfiar de inmediato.

His look made me distrust immediately.

Causative 'hacer' + infinitive.

4

No hay que desconfiar sistemáticamente de todo.

One should not systematically distrust everything.

Impersonal 'hay que' + adverb.

5

La desconfianza es difícil de superar.

Distrust is hard to overcome.

Using the noun 'desconfianza'.

6

Desconfiamos de los resultados del experimento.

We distrust the results of the experiment.

Scientific context.

7

Ella desconfía de la veracidad de la noticia.

She distrusts the truthfulness of the news.

Formal vocabulary 'veracidad'.

8

Si desconfiaras menos, serías más feliz.

If you distrusted less, you would be happier.

Imperfect subjunctive in second conditional.

1

El analista desconfía de la estabilidad del mercado.

The analyst distrusts the market stability.

Professional/Economic context.

2

No se puede desconfiar de la ciencia sin pruebas.

One cannot distrust science without evidence.

Impersonal 'se'.

3

Su silencio nos obligó a desconfiar de sus intenciones.

His silence forced us to distrust his intentions.

Verb 'obligar a'.

4

Desconfiar de la propia sombra es síntoma de paranoia.

Distrusting one's own shadow is a symptom of paranoia.

Idiomatic usage.

5

La historia nos enseña a desconfiar de los tiranos.

History teaches us to distrust tyrants.

Historical/Academic context.

6

Desconfío de que las medidas sean efectivas.

I distrust that the measures will be effective.

Subjunctive with 'que'.

7

Es lícito desconfiar ante la falta de transparencia.

It is legitimate to distrust given the lack of transparency.

Formal adjective 'lícito'.

8

El pueblo desconfía de las promesas electorales.

The people distrust the electoral promises.

Political vocabulary.

1

Resulta imperativo no desconfiar de los cimientos de la democracia.

It is imperative not to distrust the foundations of democracy.

High formal register.

2

Desconfiar de la razón es el primer paso hacia el caos.

Distrusting reason is the first step toward chaos.

Philosophical context.

3

A pesar de su fama, muchos desconfían de su altruismo.

Despite his fame, many distrust his altruism.

Concessive clause 'A pesar de'.

4

La naturaleza humana tiende a desconfiar de lo desconocido.

Human nature tends to distrust the unknown.

Generalization about human nature.

5

Desconfiar de los sentidos es una premisa cartesiana.

Distrusting the senses is a Cartesian premise.

Academic reference to philosophy.

6

No hay razón para desconfiar de la integridad del sistema.

There is no reason to distrust the integrity of the system.

Formal noun 'integridad'.

7

El inversor desconfía de la volatilidad del activo.

The investor distrusts the volatility of the asset.

Technical financial terminology.

8

Desconfiar del prójimo es una tragedia social.

Distrusting one's neighbor is a social tragedy.

Theological/Social term 'prójimo'.

Häufige Kollokationen

desconfiar de alguien
desconfiar de algo
empezar a desconfiar
motivos para desconfiar
hacer desconfiar
siempre desconfiar
desconfiar profundamente
desconfiar de la palabra
derecho a desconfiar
aprender a desconfiar

Häufige Phrasen

Desconfía y acertarás

— A cynical proverb suggesting that being suspicious usually leads to the truth.

Como dice el refrán: desconfía y acertarás.

No desconfíes de mí

— A plea for trust in a relationship.

Por favor, no desconfíes de mí, te digo la verdad.

Desconfiar de la sombra

— To be extremely paranoid or suspicious of everything.

Es tan paranoico que desconfía de su propia sombra.

Dar motivos para desconfiar

— To act in a way that makes others lose trust.

Tus mentiras me dan motivos para desconfiar.

Desconfiar de las apariencias

— To not be fooled by how things look on the surface.

Hay que desconfiar de las apariencias.

Desconfiar del futuro

— To feel pessimistic about what is to come.

Muchos jóvenes desconfían del futuro económico.

Desconfiar de la suerte

— To not rely on luck but on hard work.

No desconfío de la suerte, pero prefiero trabajar.

Sin desconfiar

— Doing something without any suspicion.

Aceptó el regalo sin desconfiar.

Para no desconfiar

— In order to avoid suspicion.

Le dio pruebas para no desconfiar.

Dejar de desconfiar

— To stop being suspicious.

Finalmente dejó de desconfiar de su socio.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

desconfiar vs sospechar

Sospechar is for specific acts; desconfiar is for general character.

desconfiar vs dudar

Dudar is intellectual; desconfiar is emotional/intuitional.

desconfiar vs desconocer

Desconocer means not to know; desconfiar means not to trust.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Desconfiar hasta de su sombra"

— To be pathologically suspicious of everyone and everything.

Desde el robo, desconfía hasta de su sombra.

informal
"Poner en tela de juicio"

— To doubt or question the validity of something (related to distrust).

Puso en tela de juicio mi honestidad.

formal
"Olerse la tostada"

— To suspect that something fishy is going on.

Se olió la tostada y no fue a la reunión.

slang (Spain)
"Tener la mosca detrás de la oreja"

— To be suspicious or wary about something.

Tengo la mosca detrás de la oreja con ese contrato.

informal
"No fiarse ni un pelo"

— To not trust someone at all, not even a little bit.

No me fío de él ni un pelo.

informal
"Andar con pies de plomo"

— To act with great caution due to distrust of the situation.

En ese negocio hay que andar con pies de plomo.

neutral
"Ver fantasmas donde no los hay"

— To be suspicious without any real reason.

No desconfíes, estás viendo fantasmas donde no los hay.

informal
"Haber gato encerrado"

— To suspect there is a hidden trick or secret.

Aquí hay gato encerrado, desconfío de este trato.

informal
"Estar sobre aviso"

— To be on guard or suspicious because of a warning.

Ya estoy sobre aviso, así que desconfío de sus palabras.

neutral
"No nacer ayer"

— To not be naive, implying one is right to distrust.

No nací ayer, desconfío de esa historia.

informal

Leicht verwechselbar

desconfiar vs Confiar

Opposite meaning but similar sound.

Confiar is positive; Desconfiar is negative. Confiar uses 'en'; Desconfiar uses 'de'.

Confío en ti, pero desconfío de tu jefe.

desconfiar vs Sospechar

Both imply suspicion.

Sospechar implies you think someone did a specific crime. Desconfiar is a general feeling.

Sospecho que robó el pan; desconfío de su honestidad.

desconfiar vs Recelar

Very similar meaning.

Recelar is more about being on guard or afraid. Desconfiar is about lack of belief.

El animal recela de los humanos.

desconfiar vs Dudar

Both involve lack of certainty.

Dudar is 'to not know if it's true'. Desconfiar is 'to believe it is probably false/bad'.

Dudo que llueva; desconfío de sus promesas.

desconfiar vs Despreciar

Both start with 'des-'.

Despreciar means to despise or look down on. Desconfiar is about trust.

Desprecio su actitud, pero desconfío de su plan.

Satzmuster

A2

No desconfíes de [Persona].

No desconfíes de tu padre.

B1

Desconfío de que [Subjuntivo].

Desconfío de que él diga la verdad.

B1

[Sujeto] me hace desconfiar.

Ese hombre me hace desconfiar.

B2

Tener motivos para desconfiar de [Algo].

Tengo motivos para desconfiar de este trato.

B2

Empezar a desconfiar tras [Evento].

Empezó a desconfiar tras el robo.

C1

Resulta difícil no desconfiar de [Concepto].

Resulta difícil no desconfiar de la política actual.

C1

Ante [Situación], es lógico desconfiar.

Ante la falta de pruebas, es lógico desconfiar.

C2

Desconfiar de [Sujeto] es una premisa de [Filosofía].

Desconfiar de los sentidos es una premisa del escepticismo.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

desconfianza (distrust)
desconfiado (distrustful person)

Verben

confiar (to trust)
fiar (to trust/guarantee)

Adjektive

desconfiado (suspicious/distrustful)
confiable (trustworthy)

Verwandt

confianza
confidente
fianza
fiel
fidelidad

So verwendest du es

frequency

Very common in daily speech, news, and literature.

Häufige Fehler
  • Desconfío el hombre. Desconfío del hombre.

    You must use the preposition 'de'.

  • No desconfíes en mí. No desconfíes de mí.

    Confiar uses 'en', but desconfiar uses 'de'.

  • Él es muy desconfianza. Él es muy desconfiado.

    Use the adjective 'desconfiado' for people, not the noun 'desconfianza'.

  • Desconfío que él viene. Desconfío de que él venga.

    Requires 'de' and the subjunctive mood.

  • Yo soy desconfiado por él. Él desconfía de mí.

    Passive voice with 'desconfiar' is rare and awkward; use active voice.

Tipps

The 'DE' Rule

Never forget the 'de'. It's the bridge between the verb and the object. Practice: Desconfío DE, Desconfías DE.

Word Family

Learn 'desconfianza' and 'desconfiado' together with the verb to triple your expressive power.

Phishing

In the digital age, 'desconfiar' is the most used word for online safety advice. Desconfía de los links.

Stress the End

Ensure you stress the 'fiar' part. des-con-FIAR. It makes you sound much more native.

Avoid Passive

Instead of saying 'He is distrusted', say 'La gente desconfía de él'. It's more natural in Spanish.

Negation

Focus on the 'DES-' prefix. It always flips the meaning to the opposite. Confiar (Yes) -> Desconfiar (No).

Drama

When watching telenovelas, listen for this word during betrayals. It's a key keyword for plot twists.

Qualifiers

Use 'un poco' or 'bastante' with desconfiar to sound more nuanced. 'Desconfío un poco de eso'.

Subjunctive Alert

If you use 'que' after 'desconfiar de', get your subjunctive conjugation ready!

Preposition Blending

In fast speech, 'desconfiar de' sounds like 'desconfiarde'. Listen for that 'd' sound connecting words.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'DES-CONFIDENCE'. If you have 'DES' (no) 'CONFIDENCE' in someone, you 'DES-CONF-IAR' of them.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass looking at a suspicious footprint. The detective is 'desconfiando' of the suspect's story.

Word Web

Duda Sospecha Miedo Precaución Traición Mentira Inseguridad Alerta

Herausforderung

Try to use 'desconfiar de' in three different sentences today: one about a person, one about a news story, and one about a feeling.

Wortherkunft

From the Spanish prefix 'des-' (indicating negation or reversal) and the verb 'confiar'. 'Confiar' comes from the Latin 'confidere', which is composed of 'con-' (with/together) and 'fidere' (to trust).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To withdraw trust or to be without faith in something.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when telling someone 'desconfío de ti' directly, as it is very confrontational and can end a friendship.

In English, we often say 'I don't trust him'. In Spanish, 'desconfiar' is more formal than 'no confiar', but both are very common.

The phrase 'Desconfía de quien te adula' (Distrust those who flatter you) is a common piece of Spanish wisdom. Machiavelli's ideas on political distrust are often discussed using this verb in Spanish translations. Many Spanish songs about heartbreak use 'desconfiar' to describe the aftermath of a betrayal.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Cybersecurity

  • Desconfiar de enlaces
  • Desconfiar de remitentes
  • Desconfiar de contraseñas
  • Desconfiar de descargas

Relationships

  • Desconfiar de la pareja
  • Motivos para desconfiar
  • Dejar de desconfiar
  • Volver a desconfiar

Politics

  • Desconfiar del gobierno
  • Desconfiar de las promesas
  • Desconfianza ciudadana
  • Desconfiar de las leyes

Business

  • Desconfiar de un socio
  • Desconfiar de un contrato
  • Desconfiar de la inversión
  • Desconfiar de los beneficios

Intuition

  • Desconfiar de los instintos
  • Desconfiar de las corazonadas
  • Desconfiar de lo que ves
  • Desconfiar del primer impulso

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Alguna vez has tenido motivos para desconfiar de un buen amigo?"

"¿Crees que es mejor confiar en todos o desconfiar por defecto?"

"¿De qué tipo de noticias sueles desconfiar más en internet?"

"¿Qué actitudes te hacen desconfiar de una persona que acabas de conocer?"

"¿Es posible volver a confiar en alguien después de desconfiar de él?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Escribe sobre una situación en la que decidiste desconfiar de alguien y resultó ser la decisión correcta.

Describe cómo te sientes cuando alguien desconfía de ti sin tener motivos reales.

¿Por qué crees que la sociedad actual tiende a desconfiar más de las instituciones que en el pasado?

Reflexiona sobre la frase: 'Desconfiar de todo es tan tonto como confiar en todo'.

¿Cómo ha cambiado tu forma de desconfiar de las cosas a medida que has crecido?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Se dice siempre 'desconfiar de'. Aunque el verbo contrario 'confiar' usa 'en', 'desconfiar' requiere obligatoriamente la preposición 'de'. Por ejemplo: 'Desconfío de la suerte'.

Sí, 'desconfiar' es un verbo regular terminado en -ar. Se conjuga como 'amar' o 'hablar'. Por ejemplo: yo desconfío, tú desconfías, él desconfía.

Se usa el subjuntivo cuando 'desconfiar de que' introduce una acción de la que se duda. Ejemplo: 'Desconfío de que el tren llegue a tiempo'.

'Desconfiado' es el adjetivo que describe a una persona que no confía (un hombre desconfiado). 'Desconfianza' es el sustantivo que nombra el sentimiento (tengo mucha desconfianza).

Sí, puedes desconfiar de una máquina, de un sistema, de una noticia o de una oferta. No se limita solo a personas.

Es muy común, aunque en situaciones muy informales en España se puede usar 'mosquearse' o 'no fiarse ni un pelo'.

Se dice 'desconfiar de mí mismo'. Es una forma reflexiva de usar el verbo con un pronombre tónico.

Al igual que el verbo, el sustantivo 'desconfianza' suele ir seguido de 'hacia' o 'en', pero más comúnmente 'en' o 'hacia' para la actitud general, aunque 'desconfianza de' también es posible. Ejemplo: 'Su desconfianza en el sistema'.

Sí, tiene una connotación de falta de seguridad, pero a veces se ve como una precaución necesaria o positiva (prudencia).

Sí, puedes decir simplemente 'Él suele desconfiar' para describir su carácter general.

Teste dich selbst 190 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence using 'desconfiar de' and 'un extraño'.

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Explain why someone might 'desconfiar de los políticos'.

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Use the subjunctive: 'I doubt that he trusts me.'

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Translate: 'I don't trust the dog.'

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Write a sentence about distrusting a cheap offer.

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Describe a 'desconfiado' person in three sentences.

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Discuss the importance of transparency to avoid 'desconfianza'.

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Translate: 'Don't distrust your friends.'

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Write a dialogue of two lines using the word.

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Use 'hacer desconfiar' in a sentence.

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Write a formal sentence about market volatility.

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Translate: 'We distrust the news.'

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Write a sentence using 'siempre' and 'desconfiar'.

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Describe a time you felt 'desconfianza'.

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Use the idiom 'desconfiar hasta de su sombra'.

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Translate: 'Why do you distrust me?'

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Write a sentence about a detective.

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Use 'motivos para desconfiar' in a sentence.

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Write about the 'desconfianza' in modern technology.

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Discuss 'desconfiar de la razón' in philosophy.

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speaking

Say: 'I distrust that person.'

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Say: 'Don't distrust me, I'm telling the truth.'

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Say: 'His attitude makes me distrustful.'

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Say: 'We distrust the system.'

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Say: 'I have many reasons to distrust.'

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Say: 'I doubt that they will arrive on time.'

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Say: 'One must distrust appearances.'

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Say: 'She is very distrustful.'

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Say: 'Why do you distrust your friends?'

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Say: 'It's hard to stop distrusting.'

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Say: 'Distrust is a symptom of insecurity.'

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Say: 'I distrust the news.'

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speaking

Say: 'Never distrust your instincts.'

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Say: 'They distrusted us from the start.'

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Say: 'He distrusts even his own shadow.'

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Say: 'Don't be distrustful.'

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Say: 'It is a reason to distrust.'

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Say: 'I would distrust if I were you.'

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Say: 'The public distrusts the banks.'

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Say: 'Distrusting the senses is a Cartesian premise.'

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listening

Listen to: 'No desconfíes de tu hermano.' Who should you trust?

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Listen to: 'Juan desconfía de la tecnología.' Does Juan like new gadgets?

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listening

Listen to: 'La desconfianza creció tras el escándalo.' When did distrust grow?

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listening

Listen to: 'Es natural recelar de las ofertas agresivas.' What should you be wary of?

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listening

Listen to: 'Yo desconfío del jefe.' Who does the speaker distrust?

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listening

Listen to: 'No hay por qué desconfiar.' Is there a reason to be suspicious?

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Listen to: 'Desconfiamos de que la reunión sea útil.' Do they think the meeting will help?

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listening

Listen to: 'Su desconfianza es patológica.' Is the distrust normal?

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listening

Listen to: '¿Desconfías de mí?' What is the person asking?

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Listen to: 'Empezamos a desconfiar ayer.' When did the suspicion start?

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Listen to: 'Me hace desconfiar su silencio.' What makes the person suspicious?

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Listen to: 'Desconfiar de la sombra es de locos.' What is considered crazy?

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Listen to: 'Él siempre desconfía.' How often does he distrust?

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listening

Listen to: 'Desconfío de este plan.' What does the speaker think of the plan?

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Listen to: 'Ella desconfiaba de todos.' Did she trust anyone?

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/ 190 correct

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