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investigación

in-bes-ti-ga-syon/imbestiɣaˈsjon/

“investigación” means “investigation” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

investigation

Also: research
NounfA2
A friendly investigator wearing a trench coat and a hat, kneeling down and closely examining a small footprint on the ground using a large magnifying glass, symbolizing the process of searching for clues.

📝 In Action

La policía inició una investigación sobre el robo.

A2

The police started an investigation into the robbery.

Mi investigación para la universidad trata sobre el cambio climático.

B1

My research for the university is about climate change.

Se necesita más investigación en este campo.

B1

More research is needed in this field.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • indagación (inquiry)
  • pesquisa (inquest, inquiry)
  • estudio (study)

Common Collocations

  • hacer una investigación – to do an investigation / research
  • investigación policial – police investigation
  • investigación científica – scientific research
  • centro de investigación – research center

report

Also: study, paper
NounfB1formal
A smiling scientist in a lab coat standing next to a stack of books, proudly holding up a thick, officially bound research paper or report, representing the final document of findings.

📝 In Action

El científico publicó su investigación en una revista famosa.

B1

The scientist published his study/report in a famous journal.

Tengo que entregar la investigación final el próximo viernes.

B2

I have to turn in the final report next Friday.

He leído una investigación muy interesante sobre los delfines.

B2

I've read a very interesting paper about dolphins.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • publicar una investigación – to publish a study/report
  • presentar una investigación – to present a report/research
  • leer una investigación – to read a study/paper

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: investigación

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'investigación' to mean the written document or report?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
accióncanciónnaciónopinión
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'investigatio', which means 'a searching into' or 'tracking'. This comes from 'vestigium', which meant 'footprint' or 'track'. So, to investigate is literally to follow the tracks!

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: investigationFrench: investigationItalian: investigazionePortuguese: investigação

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'investigación' and 'estudio'?

They are very similar and often interchangeable! 'Investigación' tends to imply a more formal, deep, and systematic process, like for science, police work, or a university thesis. 'Estudio' can mean 'study' in that sense, but it can also be more general, like a survey or an analysis ('un estudio de mercado' - a market study). In many cases, you can use either one.

How do I make 'investigación' plural?

It follows the standard rule for words ending in '-ón'. You add '-es'. So, one 'investigación' becomes two or more 'investigaciones'.