synonym Comparative
怪しい
VS
勘ぐる
Differences Between "怪しい" and "勘ぐる"
Option A
怪しい
Meaning
suspicious, dubious, questionable
Reading
あやしい (ayashii)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
あの店の食品は少し怪しい。
The food at that store is a bit suspicious.
Option B
勘ぐる
Meaning
snoop; suspect; harbor suspicious doubts; read too much into
Reading
かんぐる (kanguru)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
相手の親切な申し出を悪く_______て断ってしまうのは、非常に勿体ないことです。
It is a great waste to read too much into another's kind offer and reject it.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(suspicious, dubious, questionable)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 怪しい: Describes something or someone that seems suspicious, unreliable, or not quite right. Can also mean 'uncertain' or 'doubtful' (e.g., 天気が怪しい - the weather looks uncertain).
- 勘ぐる: Refers to harboring suspicious doubts, reading too much into someone's actions, or snooping mentally. Often used as 悪く勘ぐる (suspect the worst). ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Snoop? Suspect? ...っ, I-It's not like I'm suspecting you have a secret girlfriend! I just happen to notice you looking extra happy lately, that's all! Don't look at me with such suspicious eyes!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『勘ぐる？！私が、あんたに秘密の彼女でもできたんじゃないかって勘ぐってるですって？！違うわよ！ただ最近、あんたがやけに嬉しそうにしてるのが目に留まっただけよ！変な誤解は禁止！』
- 怪しい: Describes something or someone that seems suspicious, unreliable, or not quite right. Can also mean 'uncertain' or 'doubtful' (e.g., 天気が怪しい - the weather looks uncertain).
- 勘ぐる: Refers to harboring suspicious doubts, reading too much into someone's actions, or snooping mentally. Often used as 悪く勘ぐる (suspect the worst). ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Snoop? Suspect? ...っ, I-It's not like I'm suspecting you have a secret girlfriend! I just happen to notice you looking extra happy lately, that's all! Don't look at me with such suspicious eyes!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『勘ぐる？！私が、あんたに秘密の彼女でもできたんじゃないかって勘ぐってるですって？！違うわよ！ただ最近、あんたがやけに嬉しそうにしてるのが目に留まっただけよ！変な誤解は禁止！』
Want to boost your Japanese vocabulary?
Project Eagle automatically tracks and targets your weak words using AI. Practice thousands of operational exams completely for free!