Inklingo

How to Say "suspect" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “suspect” is “sospechoso” — use 'sospechoso' when referring to a person who is generally believed to be involved in a crime, often before formal charges are made.

English → Spanish

sospechoso

soh-speh-CHOH-sohsospeˈtʃoso

nounB2general
Use 'sospechoso' when referring to a person who is generally believed to be involved in a crime, often before formal charges are made.
A solitary, nervous person standing in an empty room, hands clasped tightly, visualized as the subject of an investigation.

Examples

La policía interrogó a tres sospechosos después del robo.

The police questioned three suspects after the robbery.

El principal sospechoso fue detenido anoche.

The main suspect was arrested last night.

Ella es la sospechosa en este caso de fraude.

She is the suspect in this fraud case.

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).

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).

sujeto

soo-HEH-tohsuˈxeto

nounA2police/investigative
Use 'sujeto' in a police or investigative context to refer to an individual being observed or considered, especially when their identity or role is not yet fully established.
A simple illustration of a casually dressed man with a friendly expression standing and looking forward.

Examples

Vimos a un sujeto sospechoso cerca de la tienda.

We saw a suspicious individual near the store.

Ese sujeto siempre llega tarde a las reuniones.

That guy always arrives late to the meetings.

La policía está buscando a un sujeto de 40 años.

The police are looking for a 40-year-old suspect.

investigado

een-bes-tee-GAH-dohinbestiˈɣaðo

nounB2legal
Use 'investigado' for someone who is officially under investigation by legal authorities for a crime.
A person in a trench coat standing in a bright spotlight.

Examples

El investigado se negó a declarar ante el tribunal.

The suspect refused to testify before the court.

Los derechos del investigado deben ser respetados.

The rights of the person under investigation must be respected.

Turning a Descriptor into a Person

In Spanish, you can often put 'el' or 'la' in front of a word like this to turn it from a description into a noun (the person who is...).

implicado

eem-plee-KAH-dohimpliˈkaðo

nounB2legal
Use 'implicado' when someone is known to be linked or involved in a legal case, often implying a more direct connection than 'sospechoso' or 'investigado'.
A group of people working together to plant a tree, with one person specifically holding the sapling.

Examples

El principal implicado fue arrestado esta mañana.

The main person involved was arrested this morning.

Hay tres implicados en el accidente de tráfico.

There are three people involved in the traffic accident.

El juez escuchó el testimonio del implicado.

The judge heard the testimony of the person involved.

From Description to Person

By adding 'el' or 'un' in front of 'implicado', you turn the description into a person (the one who is involved).

Keep it Formal

Mistake: “Using 'el implicado' in a casual conversation with friends.”

Correction: In casual settings, just say 'el chico' or 'la persona'. 'Implicado' as a noun sounds like a police report.

Choosing between 'sospechoso' and 'investigado'

Learners often confuse 'sospechoso' and 'investigado'. Remember that 'sospechoso' is a more general term for someone thought to be involved, while 'investigado' implies a formal legal investigation is underway.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.