hinterfragen
to question critically, to examine assumptions
verb hin-ter-FRAH-gen Rare
Also means
to query
Usage Note
hinterfragen means to look behind the surface of something and probe its assumptions — not merely asking but critically examining. etwas kritisch hinterfragen is a key phrase in German academic and journalistic discourse.
Examples
"Es ist wichtig, eigene Überzeugungen regelmäßig zu hinterfragen."
Natural Translation
It is important to regularly question one's own convictions.
Literal Translation
It is important own convictions regularly to question.
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