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How to Say "to investigate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

investigar

/in-bes-ti-GAR//in.bes.tiˈɣaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'investigar' when you are formally looking into a crime, a mystery, a serious problem, or a scientific subject.
A cartoon detective wearing a trench coat and hat, kneeling down and using a large magnifying glass to closely examine a single footprint on a dirt path.

Examples

La policía está investigando el robo en el banco.

The police are investigating the robbery at the bank.

¿Quién investigó la causa del accidente?

Who investigated the cause of the accident?

Necesitamos investigar si este producto es seguro antes de usarlo.

We need to investigate whether this product is safe before using it.

Verbs Ending in -gar

To keep the hard 'g' sound (like in 'go') when the ending starts with 'e', you must add a 'u'. This happens in the 'yo' preterite (investigué) and all present subjunctive forms (investigue, investiguemos).

Preterite Spelling Error

Mistake: “Yo investigé (missing the 'u')”

Correction: Yo investigué (including the 'u'). If you write 'investigé', it would sound like 'in-ves-ti-HEH' instead of 'in-ves-ti-GEH'.

averiguar

ah-veh-ree-GWAHR/aβeɾiˈɣwaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'averiguar' when you want to find out or discover specific facts or information about a situation.
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.

explorar

eks-plo-RAR/eks.ploˈɾaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'explorar' when discussing the examination of abstract ideas, possibilities, or options, rather than concrete facts or crimes.
A person wearing a detective hat holds a giant magnifying glass over a tangled, multicolored knot of ropes on a wooden desk, intensely focused on finding the solution.

Examples

Necesitamos explorar nuevas opciones para reducir los costos.

We need to explore new options to reduce costs.

Ella exploró sus sentimientos antes de tomar una decisión.

She examined her feelings before making a decision.

El equipo decidió explorar la viabilidad del proyecto.

The team decided to investigate the feasibility of the project.

Figurative Use

Just like in English, 'explorar' can be used figuratively to mean 'thinking deeply about' or 'researching' something that isn't physical, like an idea or a solution.

Investigar vs. Averiguar

Learners often confuse 'investigar' and 'averiguar'. Remember that 'investigar' is typically used for more serious matters like crimes or formal research, while 'averiguar' is for finding out specific pieces of information in everyday situations.

Related Translations

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