Inklingo

How to Say "to check" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to check” is “asegurar” — use 'asegurar' (often as 'asegurarse') when you need to make sure something is done or is in a certain state, like confirming you have your keys or that a door is closed..

asegurar🔊A2

Use 'asegurar' (often as 'asegurarse') when you need to make sure something is done or is in a certain state, like confirming you have your keys or that a door is closed.

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comprobar🔊A2

Use 'comprobar' when you need to verify information, facts, or documents, such as checking the time on a screen or confirming a detail.

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averiguar🔊B1

Use 'averiguar' when your goal is to find out or discover a specific piece of information, like learning the departure time of a train.

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verificar🔊B1

Use 'verificar' to confirm the accuracy or status of something, especially when it involves validation or authentication, like checking your email to activate an account.

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mirar🔊B1

Use 'mirar' in a more general sense of looking at something to verify or examine it, like checking a bus schedule.

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examinar🔊A2

Use 'examinar' for a more thorough inspection or look-over, often in a medical or investigative context.

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arrestar🔊C1

Use 'arrestar' specifically to mean stopping the progress of something abstract, like a disease or a trend.

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asegurarse🔊A2

Use 'asegurarse' when confirming details or ensuring a particular outcome, similar to 'make sure'.

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English → Spanish

asegurar

ah-seh-goo-RAHR/aseɣuˈɾaɾ/

verb (reflexive)A2informal
Use 'asegurar' (often as 'asegurarse') when you need to make sure something is done or is in a certain state, like confirming you have your keys or that a door is closed.
A curious person holding a large magnifying glass to closely examine a single red apple, symbolizing verification or making sure of something.

Examples

Asegúrate de que tienes las llaves antes de cerrar.

Make sure that you have the keys before closing up.

Me aseguré de que todos estuvieran bien después del accidente.

I made sure that everyone was okay after the accident.

Reflexive Action

When using 'asegurarse,' the 'se' tells us that the action of checking or verifying is directed back at the speaker ('I make sure myself').

Using 'Que'

This meaning is almost always followed by 'de que' (or just 'que' in some regions) and then the information you are verifying.

Dropping the Pronoun

Mistake: “Asegura de que tienes el dinero. (Missing reflexive pronoun)”

Correction: Asegúrate de que tienes el dinero. (The pronoun 'te' is needed because you are telling the person to check for themselves.)

comprobar

/kom-proh-BAR//kom.pɾoˈβaɾ/

verbA2
Use 'comprobar' when you need to verify information, facts, or documents, such as checking the time on a screen or confirming a detail.
A friendly character wearing glasses, holding a magnifying glass, carefully examining a single sheet of paper on a desk, symbolizing verification.

Examples

Necesitas comprobar la hora de salida del tren en la pantalla.

You need to check the train's departure time on the screen.

El policía comprobó mi identidad antes de dejarme pasar.

The police officer verified my identity before letting me pass.

Compruebo dos veces el correo electrónico antes de enviarlo.

I double-check the email before sending it.

Stem Change 'O' to 'UE'

In the present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' when the stress falls on the root word (e.g., 'yo compruebo'). This change skips the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.

Confusing 'comprobar' and 'chequear'

Mistake: “Using 'chequear' (a Spanglish verb) when 'comprobar' is more formal and appropriate for verifying facts or documents.”

Correction: Use 'comprobar' when the action involves confirming accuracy or validity; use 'revisar' or 'mirar' for a simple look-over.

averiguar

ah-veh-ree-GWAHR/aβeɾiˈɣwaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'averiguar' when your goal is to find out or discover a specific piece of information, like learning the departure time of a train.
A small explorer character in a lush green jungle, kneeling down and looking happily at a glowing, opened treasure chest they just discovered, symbolizing finding out or discovering information.

Examples

Necesito averiguar a qué hora sale el tren de mañana.

I need to find out what time the train leaves tomorrow.

La policía está averiguando la causa del incendio.

The police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Cuando averigüe la verdad, te lo diré inmediatamente.

When I find out the truth, I will tell you immediately.

When to use Subjunctive

Since 'averiguar' means to gain knowledge, it often introduces a factual statement, usually triggering the normal (indicative) verb form: 'Averiguo que está aquí.' However, if you use it in a time phrase (like 'cuando') about the future, you must use the special form (subjunctive): 'Cuando lo averigüe...'

Spelling the Preterite 'Yo' Form

Mistake: “Using 'yo averigué' (pronouncing 'averi-GEH')”

Correction: You must write 'yo averigüé' (with the dots, called a 'diéresis' or umlaut) to keep the 'gwah' sound. If you don't add the dots, the word changes pronunciation to 'geh,' which is incorrect.

verificar

/beh-ree-fee-KAHR//beɾifiˈkaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'verificar' to confirm the accuracy or status of something, especially when it involves validation or authentication, like checking your email to activate an account.
A person using a magnifying glass to look closely at a green checkmark on a wooden table.

Examples

Por favor, verifica tu correo electrónico para activar la cuenta.

Please check your email to activate the account.

El sistema tiene que verificar tu contraseña.

The system needs to verify your password.

Debemos verificar los datos antes de publicar el informe.

We must verify the data before publishing the report.

The Spelling Swap

In the 'I' form of the past (preterite) and in all 'wish' forms (subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This is just to keep the hard 'K' sound: 'verifiqué' instead of 'verificé'.

Verificar vs. Revisar

Mistake: “Using 'verificar' when you just want to look over something casually.”

Correction: Use 'revisar' for browsing or reviewing, and 'verificar' when you specifically need to prove something is correct or true.

mirar

/mee-RAHR//miˈɾaɾ/

verbB1
Use 'mirar' in a more general sense of looking at something to verify or examine it, like checking a bus schedule.
A traveler holding a large, unfolded, colorful map and carefully examining the routes with their finger.

Examples

Voy a mirar el horario del autobús.

I'm going to check the bus schedule.

¿Puedes mirar si dejé las llaves en la mesa?

Can you check if I left the keys on the table?

Tengo que mirar una palabra en el diccionario.

I have to look up a word in the dictionary.

examinar

/ex-ah-mee-NAR//eksa.miˈnaɾ/

verbA2
Use 'examinar' for a more thorough inspection or look-over, often in a medical or investigative context.
A person using a large magnifying glass to look at a bright green leaf.

Examples

El doctor examinó mi brazo herido.

The doctor examined my injured arm.

Tienes que examinar el contrato antes de firmar.

You have to inspect the contract before signing.

A regular -AR verb

This verb follows the standard pattern for all -ar verbs. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar', you can conjugate 'examinar'!

Confusing 'taking' vs 'giving' a test

Mistake: “Using 'examinar' to say you are taking a test as a student.”

Correction: As a student, use 'examinarse' or 'hacer un examen'. 'Examinar' is what the teacher or doctor does to you.

arrestar

ah-rrehs-TAHR/a.resˈtaɾ/

verbC1formal
Use 'arrestar' specifically to mean stopping the progress of something abstract, like a disease or a trend.
A large, solid gray wall successfully blocking the forceful forward movement of a stylized blue wave, illustrating the stopping of progress.

Examples

Los médicos intentaron arrestar el avance de la enfermedad.

The doctors tried to halt the advance of the disease.

El gobierno debe arrestar el deterioro del sistema educativo.

The government must check the deterioration of the educational system.

Formal Usage

This meaning is usually found in written reports, scientific papers, or very formal speeches. In everyday conversation, you would typically use 'parar' or 'detener' instead.

asegurarse

ah-seh-goo-RAHR-seh/aseɣuˈɾaɾse/

verbA2informal
Use 'asegurarse' when confirming details or ensuring a particular outcome, similar to 'make sure'.
A cartoon character firmly pressing down on a large, securely fastened padlock on a sturdy wooden storage chest, indicating they are verifying its security.

Examples

Asegúrate de que la puerta esté cerrada antes de salir.

Make sure the door is closed before leaving.

Me aseguré de tener todo lo necesario para el viaje.

I made sure I had everything necessary for the trip.

Ella siempre se asegura de que sus invitados estén cómodos.

She always ensures her guests are comfortable.

The Reflexive Pronoun ('se')

Since this is 'asegurarse,' you must use the little pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that matches the person doing the action. The action of making sure is directed back at the person doing the checking.

Using 'de que'

When you use 'asegurarse' to confirm a fact, it is usually followed by 'de que' (or sometimes just 'que'), like: 'Me aseguré de que todo estuviera bien.' (I made sure that everything was fine.)

Forgetting the Reflexive Part

Mistake: “Aseguro la puerta.”

Correction: Me aseguro de la puerta. (Unless you mean 'I lock/fasten the door' which is the non-reflexive verb 'asegurar'.) When you mean 'make sure,' you must use the 'se' form.

Asegurar vs. Comprobar

The most common confusion is between 'asegurar' (to make sure) and 'comprobar' (to verify information). Remember: 'asegurar' is about ensuring a state or action, while 'comprobar' is about checking facts or data.

Related Translations

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