sospechoso
/soh-speh-CHOH-soh/
suspicious
When something seems wrong or causes doubt, it is 'sospechoso' (suspicious).
sospechoso(Adjective)
suspicious
?seeming wrong or likely to be guilty
,doubtful
?a questionable situation or outcome
fishy
?informal: weird or strange
,questionable
?involving ethics or legitimacy
📝 In Action
Encontraron un paquete sospechoso debajo de la mesa.
B1They found a suspicious package under the table.
Su comportamiento era muy sospechoso cuando le preguntamos por el dinero.
B2His behavior was very suspicious when we asked him about the money.
Me parece sospechosa esa oferta de trabajo; pagan demasiado.
B1That job offer seems doubtful to me; they pay too much.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching Endings
As an adjective, 'sospechoso' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. For a feminine noun like 'persona,' you must say 'persona sospechosa.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Ser' or 'Estar'
You typically use 'ser' (es, son) with 'sospechoso' to describe a permanent quality or condition of the thing (e.g., 'El trato es sospechoso').
A 'sospechoso' (suspect) is a person who is thought to be involved in a crime.
sospechoso(Noun)
suspect
?a person thought to be involved in a crime
person of interest
?legal term
📝 In Action
La policía interrogó a tres sospechosos después del robo.
B2The police questioned three suspects after the robbery.
El principal sospechoso fue detenido anoche.
B2The main suspect was arrested last night.
Ella es la sospechosa en este caso de fraude.
B2She is the suspect in this fraud case.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Gender
When used as a noun meaning 'suspect,' this word changes gender like an adjective: 'el sospechoso' (male suspect) and 'la sospechosa' (female suspect).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun and Adjective
Mistake: "Using 'sospecho' when referring to a person."
Correction: The word for the person is always 'sospechoso' (or 'sospechosa'). 'Sospecho' is the 'yo' form of the verb 'sospechar' (I suspect).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sospechoso
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'sospechoso' as a Noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'sospechoso' always negative?
Yes, 'sospechoso' nearly always carries a negative feeling, implying that something is wrong, illegal, or untrustworthy. It means the situation invites doubt or distrust.
What's the difference between 'sospechoso' and 'sospecha'?
'Sospechoso' is an adjective (suspicious) or the person (the suspect). 'Sospecha' is the feeling itself—the abstract noun meaning 'suspicion' or 'doubt.'