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detectar

deh-tehk-TAHR/detekˈtaɾ/

“detectar” means “to detect” in Spanish (identifying the presence of something).

to detect

Also: to notice, to spot
VerbB1regular ar
A detective with a magnifying glass examining a single glowing footprint on the ground.
gerunddetectando (detecting)
past Participledetectado (detected)
infinitivedetectar

📝 In Action

El radar puede detectar aviones a gran distancia.

A2

The radar can detect planes at a great distance.

El médico detectó un pequeño problema en los análisis.

B1

The doctor detected a small problem in the tests.

Si detectas algún error en el documento, avísame.

B1

If you notice any error in the document, let me know.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • detectar un error – to spot an error
  • detectar a tiempo – to detect in time
  • sensor para detectar – sensor for detecting

Idioms & Expressions

  • detectar a leguas – To notice something from a mile away / very easily

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdetectaran
yodetectara
túdetectaras
vosotrosdetectarais
nosotrosdetectáramos
él/ella/usteddetectara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdetecten
yodetecte
túdetectes
vosotrosdetectéis
nosotrosdetectemos
él/ella/usteddetecte

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdetectaron
yodetecté
túdetectaste
vosotrosdetectasteis
nosotrosdetectamos
él/ella/usteddetectó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdetectaban
yodetectaba
túdetectabas
vosotrosdetectabais
nosotrosdetectábamos
él/ella/usteddetectaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdetectan
yodetecto
túdetectas
vosotrosdetectáis
nosotrosdetectamos
él/ella/usteddetecta
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "detectar" in Spanish:

to detect→to notice→to spot→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: detectar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'detectar' with a person?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
detector(detector) — Noun
detección(detection) — Noun
detectable(detectable) — Adjective
detective(detective) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'detegere', which means 'to uncover' or 'to expose'. It is made of 'de-' (un-) and 'tegere' (to cover).

First recorded: 19th century (modern technical usage)

Cognates (Related words)

English: detectFrench: détecter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'detectar' always technical?

No, while it is used for radars and doctors, you can use it anytime you find something that was hidden or not immediately obvious, like 'detecting' a lie.

Does it have any stem changes?

No, it is a completely regular -ar verb. It follows the standard pattern in all tenses.

Can I use it for 'to realize'?

Not usually. 'Darse cuenta' is better for realizing an idea. Use 'detectar' for noticing a physical sign or a specific piece of information.