testigo
/tes-TEE-goh/
witness
Testigo (witness): A person who saw an event take place.
testigo(noun)
witness
?person who saw an event
eyewitness
?legal/journalistic
,bystander
?casual observer
📝 In Action
Necesitamos encontrar al único testigo del accidente.
A2We need to find the only witness to the accident.
La testigo describió exactamente lo que vio en la calle.
B1The witness described exactly what she saw in the street.
Fuiste testigo de todo, ¿qué ocurrió realmente?
A2You were a witness to everything, what really happened?
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Flexibility
Even though 'testigo' ends in 'o', it can refer to both a man and a woman. You change the article: 'el testigo' (the male witness) or 'la testigo' (the female witness).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Noun Gender
Mistake: "Using 'la testiga' for a female witness."
Correction: While 'testiga' exists, the most common and accepted form, especially in formal settings, is 'la testigo'. Treat it like a noun that keeps its form regardless of gender.
⭐ Usage Tips
Reporting Events
Use 'ser testigo de' (to be a witness to) when you want to describe the event someone saw: 'Fui testigo de una pelea' (I was a witness to a fight).
Testigo (indicator light): The small light on a dashboard or machine that indicates a status.
testigo(noun)
indicator light
?on a dashboard or machine
warning light
?car dashboard
,telltale
?general indicator
📝 In Action
Se me encendió el testigo de la batería mientras conducía.
B1The battery warning light came on while I was driving.
El manual explica qué significa cada testigo del panel de control.
B2The manual explains what each indicator light on the control panel means.
💡 Grammar Points
Technical Usage
In technical fields like mechanics, 'testigo' is often used as a shortened way to refer to the small light that 'sees' and signals a problem or status.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking about Lights
The most natural verbs to use with this meaning are 'encenderse' (to come on/turn on) and 'apagar' (to turn off).
Testigo (testament): Something that serves as lasting evidence or proof.
testigo(noun)
testament
?lasting proof or evidence
remnant
?physical proof of the past
,living proof
?figurative evidence
📝 In Action
Estas ruinas son el testigo de la grandeza del antiguo imperio.
C1These ruins are the testament to the greatness of the ancient empire.
El cuadro es un testigo mudo de las costumbres de la época.
C2The painting is a silent witness (or relic) of the customs of the era.
💡 Grammar Points
Metaphorical Usage
Here, 'testigo' is used figuratively, meaning an inanimate object or idea that serves the function of a witness by showing or proving something.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: testigo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'testigo' to refer to an indicator on a machine?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say 'female witness'?
The standard and highly preferred form is 'la testigo'. Although 'la testiga' is sometimes heard, especially informally, 'la testigo' is the correct and safest choice in all contexts.
Can 'testigo' mean 'proof' or 'evidence'?
Yes, but usually in a formal, figurative, or historical sense. For everyday use, you should stick to 'prueba' or 'evidencia' when you just mean 'proof' in general. 'Testigo' is usually reserved for a tangible item or artifact that stands as a lasting sign of something.