investigar
“investigar” means “to investigate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to investigate
Also: to look into, to inquire about
📝 In Action
La policía está investigando el robo en el banco.
A2The police are investigating the robbery at the bank.
¿Quién investigó la causa del accidente?
B1Who investigated the cause of the accident?
Necesitamos investigar si este producto es seguro antes de usarlo.
B1We need to investigate whether this product is safe before using it.
to research
Also: to carry out research
📝 In Action
Los científicos están investigando la cura para esa enfermedad.
B1The scientists are researching the cure for that disease.
Mi tesis requiere que investigue fuentes históricas muy antiguas.
B2My thesis requires me to research very old historical sources.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: investigar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the spelling change needed for 'investigar' in the past tense (preterite)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *investigare*, which means 'to track down' or 'to search for.' It is built from *in-* (in/into) and *vestigium* (footprint or trace), literally meaning 'to follow the footprints.'
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'investigar' un verbo reflexivo?
No, 'investigar' is generally not used as a reflexive verb (like 'investigarse'). It is always an action you perform on something or someone else (investigas *el caso*, investigas *al sospechoso*).
What is the difference between 'investigar' and 'buscar'?
'Buscar' simply means 'to look for' or 'to search' (often for a physical item, like 'buscar las llaves'). 'Investigar' means 'to investigate' or 'to research'—it implies a detailed, careful, and systematic search for facts or knowledge, not just locating an object.