Inklingo

How to Say "investigating" in Spanish

English → Spanish

investigando

in-ves-ti-GAN-do/im.bes.tiˈɣan.do/

Verbal Form (Gerund)B1General
Use this when referring to the continuous, in-progress action of searching for information or facts.
A person sitting at a large wooden desk covered in open books and loose papers. The person is holding a large magnifying glass and intently examining a single document, illustrating the ongoing action of seeking information.

Examples

La policía está investigando el caso con mucha cautela.

The police are investigating the case very cautiously.

Pasa el día investigando nuevas formas de energía limpia.

She spends the day researching new forms of clean energy.

Mejoró su técnica investigando a los maestros del pasado.

He improved his technique by researching the masters of the past.

The Ongoing Action Form

This form, ending in '-ando' for 'ar' verbs, tells you that an action is happening right now, or was happening at a specific time. We usually use it after the verb 'estar' (to be) to form the continuous tense.

How to do something

You can use 'investigando' to explain how someone achieved something: 'Ganó el premio investigando sin descanso' (She won the prize by researching tirelessly).

Using it as an Adjective

Mistake:El investigando policía.

Correction: The gerund ('investigando') cannot be used as an adjective describing a noun in Spanish. You must use a phrase: 'El policía que investiga' (The police officer who investigates).

investigador

in-ves-ti-ga-DOR/im.bes.ti.ɣaˈðoɾ/

AdjectiveB2Formal
Use this to describe a person, group, or body that is officially tasked with or known for conducting investigations.
A figure dressed as a detective wearing a trench coat and hat kneels down, using a large magnifying glass to inspect a footprint on the ground.

Examples

El equipo investigador viajó a la zona para recoger muestras.

The investigating team traveled to the area to collect samples.

Se estableció un comité investigador para revisar las alegaciones.

An investigating committee was established to review the allegations.

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.

Gerund vs. Adjective

The most common mistake is using the adjective 'investigador' when you mean the ongoing action. Remember, 'investigando' is the gerund (like '-ing' in English) for the verb 'investigar', describing the action itself.

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