investigador
/in-ves-ti-ga-DOR/
researcher
When used as a noun, investigador means "researcher," often in an academic or scientific context.
investigador(noun)
researcher
?academic/scientific
,investigator
?general/official inquiry
detective
?police/private cases
,scholar
?humanities
📝 In Action
El investigador principal presentó los resultados del estudio.
B1The lead researcher presented the results of the study.
Necesitamos un investigador privado para seguir este caso de fraude.
B2We need a private investigator to follow this fraud case.
Ser investigador requiere mucha paciencia y atención al detalle.
B1Being a researcher requires a lot of patience and attention to detail.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Flexibility
To talk about a female researcher, you change the ending to 'investigadora'. Many nouns ending in '-dor' follow this pattern.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Using 'investigar' (the verb) when you mean 'investigador' (the person)."
Correction: Remember, '-dor' is usually the person who *does* the action, like 'investigador' (the one who investigates).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
This word is often used in formal or professional settings. For general searching on the internet, you might use 'buscador' (search engine) instead.
As an adjective, investigador means "investigating," describing a body or team actively searching for information or evidence.
investigador(adjective)
investigating
?describing a team or body
research
?as in 'research work'
📝 In Action
El equipo investigador viajó a la zona para recoger muestras.
B2The investigating team traveled to the area to collect samples.
Se estableció un comité investigador para revisar las alegaciones.
C1An investigating committee was established to review the allegations.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'investigador' must match the thing it describes. If you talk about 'la comisión investigadora' (the female commission), you change the ending.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
Using 'investigador' as an adjective often makes the sentence sound more official or formal, usually referring to institutional actions.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: investigador
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'investigador' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'investigador' and 'detective'?
'Investigador' is a general term for anyone who conducts research or inquiries (scientific, academic, or criminal). 'Detective' is usually reserved specifically for someone who investigates crimes, often within a police force or as a private agent.
How do I make 'investigador' feminine?
You simply change the ending from '-dor' to '-dora'. So, 'el investigador' becomes 'la investigadora'.