半信半疑

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: bàn xìn bàn yí
• English Translation: Half-believing, half-doubting (skeptical)
• Idiom Composition: 「半」（Half or partially）＋「信」（To believe or trust）＋「半」（Half or partially）＋「疑」（To doubt or suspect）
• Meaning: A state of mind where one is uncertain whether to believe something or not, remaining skeptical while acknowledging the possibility of truth.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「半信半疑」 contains the following nuances:

• Suspension of Judgment: It refers to a middle ground where one neither dismisses a claim as a lie nor accepts it as a fact.
• Psychological Conflict: It highlights the tension between the desire to believe and the logical reasons to remain suspicious.

3. Usage

「半信半疑」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Hearing rumors or news: Used when reacting to information that is hard to believe or lacks verification.
  • Example:「听到这个惊人的消息，大家都有点半信半疑。」
    （Hearing this shocking news, everyone was a bit skeptical.）
• Regarding explanations or excuses: Used when someone provides a justification that doesn't feel entirely convincing.
  • Example:「虽然他发誓是真的，但我还是半信半疑。」
    （Although he swore it was true, I was still half-believing and half-doubting.）
• Skepticism about results: Used when one is unsure if a new method or medicine will actually work.
  • Example:「他对这种新药的疗效半信半疑，不敢轻易尝试。」
    （He was dubious about the effectiveness of this new medicine and didn't dare try it lightly.）

Additional Examples:

1. 对于那个传说，当地人也是半信半疑。
   （Even the locals are half-believing and half-doubting about that legend.）
2. 看着他那夸张的表情，我不禁半信半疑起来。
   （Looking at his exaggerated expression, I couldn't help but feel skeptical.）
3. 起初我对这个计划半信半疑，但看到成果后我就放心了。
   （At first, I was dubious about this plan, but I felt relieved after seeing the results.）
4. 她半信半疑地打开了那个神秘的盒子。
   （She opened the mysterious box with a mix of belief and doubt.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The concept of being "half-believing" has deep roots in Chinese literature. Similar expressions can be found in the Classified Conversations of Master Zhu (朱子语类) by the philosopher Zhu Xi (朱熹).
• An even earlier variation, "half-believing and half-not-believing" (半信而半不信), appears in the Three Kingdoms period text 答释难宅无吉凶摄生论 (Dá Shì Nán Zhái Wú Jí Xiōng Shè Shēng Lùn).
• Unlike total disbelief, which is expressed as 不信 (bù xìn), this idiom captures the "gray area" of human judgment—often used when a story is so amazing it sounds like a tall tale, or when one's intuition suggests caution.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 将信将疑 (jiāng xìn jiāng yí): Almost synonymous with 半信半疑 (bàn xìn bàn yí), describing a state of wavering between belief and suspicion.
  • 满腹狐疑 (mǎn fù hú yí): To be filled with suspicion; implies a higher degree of doubt than 半信半疑 (bàn xìn bàn yí).
  • 半真半假 (bàn zhēn bàn jiǎ): Partly true and partly false.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 深信不疑 (shēn xìn bù yí): To believe something deeply without any doubt.
  • 确信无疑 (què xìn wú yí): To be absolutely certain beyond any doubt.
  • 显而易见 (xiǎn ér yì jiàn): It is obvious and easy to see.link
  • 不言而喻 (bù yán ér yù): It goes without saying or is self-evident.link

6. Summary

The idiom 半信半疑 (bàn xìn bàn yí) literally means "half-belief, half-doubt." It is used to describe a state of mind where a person is hesitant to fully accept information as true. This is often applied when hearing rumors, incredible news, or excuses that lack sufficient evidence.