investigación
/in-bes-ti-ga-syon/
investigation
This illustration shows the process of investigación, covering both police investigation and academic research—the systematic effort to find information.
📝 In Action
La policía inició una investigación sobre el robo.
A2The police started an investigation into the robbery.
Mi investigación para la universidad trata sobre el cambio climático.
B1My research for the university is about climate change.
Se necesita más investigación en este campo.
B1More research is needed in this field.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Remember that 'investigación' is a feminine noun. This means you'll always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la investigación' (the investigation) or 'una investigación larga' (a long investigation).
⭐ Usage Tips
Investigation vs. Research
In English, 'investigation' often sounds very formal (like police work), while 'research' is for science or school. In Spanish, 'investigación' comfortably covers both ideas.
When investigación refers to the final product, it means the written report or study summarizing the research findings.
investigación(Noun)
report
?the written document of findings
study
?a published paper or findings
,paper
?an academic article
📝 In Action
El científico publicó su investigación en una revista famosa.
B1The scientist published his study/report in a famous journal.
Tengo que entregar la investigación final el próximo viernes.
B2I have to turn in the final report next Friday.
He leído una investigación muy interesante sobre los delfines.
B2I've read a very interesting paper about dolphins.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
You'll know 'investigación' means the written document when you see verbs like 'publicar' (to publish), 'entregar' (to turn in), or 'leer' (to read). The action tells you if it's about the process or the final product.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: investigación
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'investigación' to mean the written document or report?
📚 More Resources
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'.