When combined, 怀疑 (huáiyí) literally means “to hold doubt in one's heart.” This paints a clear picture of harboring a sense of uncertainty or mistrust internally.
In many Western cultures, especially in academic and scientific fields, “healthy skepticism” is highly valued as a component of critical thinking. Actively questioning information is seen as a sign of intelligence and engagement. While this is also true in modern China, particularly in business and academia, traditional Chinese culture sometimes places a higher value on harmony and respect for authority (such as teachers, elders, or superiors). In certain social contexts, openly expressing 怀疑 (huáiyí) towards an elder's statement or a superior's decision can be perceived as disrespectful or challenging. Therefore, the key difference is not in the word's meaning, but in the social calculation of when and how to express it. A Western learner might be used to directly saying, “I doubt that's correct.” In a Chinese context, it might be more diplomatic to phrase it indirectly, like “Could we perhaps look at this from another angle?” This is changing with younger generations, but the underlying cultural value of maintaining harmony (和谐, héxié) is still significant.
怀疑 (huáiyí) is a common and essential verb used in various situations. Its connotation (neutral or negative) depends entirely on the context.