置信 is a formal, written verb meaning 'to believe' or 'to accept as true,' often used in contexts requiring reasoned acceptance rather than emotional faith. The character 置 means 'to place' or 'to set,' and 信 means 'trust' or 'belief'; together, they convey the idea of 'placing one’s trust' — i.e., consciously deciding to regard something as credible. It frequently appears in academic, legal, journalistic, or technical writing, especially when discussing evidence, data, or authoritative sources.

This word implies a degree of rational judgment: it's not blind faith but belief grounded in reasoning or verification. It’s rarely used in casual speech — native speakers typically say 相信 instead. 置信 often appears in fixed phrases like 置信度 (confidence level, e.g., in statistics) or 不置可否／不置一词 (though these are distinct compounds). Its tone is objective and measured, making it unsuitable for expressing personal affection or spiritual conviction.