testigos
tes-TEE-gos
📝 In Action
La policía entrevistó a varios testigos del accidente.
A2The police interviewed several witnesses to the accident.
Necesitamos dos testigos para firmar este contrato legal.
B1We need two witnesses to sign this legal contract.
Los niños fueron testigos de cómo el perro se robó la pelota.
A2The children were witnesses to how the dog stole the ball.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Plural Form
Even though 'testigos' can refer to a group of men, women, or a mixed group, the word itself is grammatically masculine plural. The singular form is 'testigo' (which works for both genders, like 'el testigo' or 'la testigo').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "When referring to a female witness, learners sometimes try to say 'testiga'."
Correction: The correct singular noun is 'testigo' for both genders. You just change the article: 'la testigo' (the female witness).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'de'
When saying what the person witnessed, use the preposition 'de' (of/to): 'Testigos del crimen' (Witnesses of the crime).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: testigos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'testigos'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'testigos' ever mean something other than people?
Yes, in technical or historical contexts, 'testigo' (singular) can refer to physical evidence or markers, like a 'testigo de perforación' (drill core sample) or a 'testigo mudo' (a silent witness, meaning an object that proves something happened). But in everyday conversation, it almost always means human witnesses.
Is there a difference between 'testigos' and 'espectadores'?
Yes. 'Testigos' are people who saw an event, often unexpectedly, and whose account is important (like in a crime). 'Espectadores' are simply 'spectators' or 'audience members' who were intentionally watching a show, game, or public event.