detectives
“detectives” means “detectives” in Spanish (people who investigate crimes).
detectives
Also: investigators
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Los detectives llegaron a la escena del crimen muy rápido.
A2The detectives arrived at the crime scene very quickly.
Esta serie de televisión trata sobre un grupo de detectives que resuelven casos difíciles.
B1This TV series is about a group of detectives who solve difficult cases.
Contrataron detectives privados para seguir la pista del dinero perdido.
B2They hired private investigators to follow the trail of the lost money.
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Quick Quiz: detectives
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the noun 'detectives'?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the verb 'detectar,' which originated from the Latin verb *detegere*, meaning 'to uncover' or 'to expose.' A detective is literally someone who uncovers the truth.
First recorded: 19th century (in its modern usage, following the popularization of the profession and mystery literature)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'detectives' only used for men?
No. While it is a masculine plural noun ('los detectives'), it is the standard, neutral term used to refer to any group of investigators, regardless of gender composition. If the group is all female, 'las detectives' is also common.