How to Say "to question" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to question” is “dudar” — use 'dudar' when you are expressing doubt or uncertainty about something, implying a lack of conviction..
dudar
/doo-DAHR//duˈðar/
Examples
Dudo que él sepa la respuesta.
I doubt that he knows the answer.
Dudo que ella tenga la llave.
I doubt that she has the key.
No dudo de tu honestidad.
I don't doubt your honesty.
Muchos dudan de sus intenciones.
Many doubt his intentions.
The 'Doubt' Trigger
When you say 'Dudo que...' (I doubt that...), the next verb must change its form to show uncertainty. This special form is often called the subjunctive.
Using 'de'
If you are doubting a specific thing or person, you almost always use the little connector word 'de' (e.g., 'Dudo de su palabra').
Positive vs. Negative
Mistake: “No dudo que sea verdad.”
Correction: No dudo que es verdad. When you are SURE (saying 'I don't doubt'), use the normal verb form. Only use the 'uncertainty' form when you actually have a doubt.
interrogar
/een-teh-rro-GAHR//interoˈɣaɾ/
Examples
El detective va a interrogar a los testigos.
The detective is going to interrogate the witnesses.
La policía decidió interrogar al sospechoso durante tres horas.
The police decided to interrogate the suspect for three hours.
El abogado va a interrogar a los testigos mañana.
The lawyer is going to question the witnesses tomorrow.
The 'GU' Spelling Change
When 'interrogar' is followed by an 'e' sound (like in the first-person past tense 'yo interrogue'), we add a 'u' after the 'g' to keep the hard 'g' sound, like in 'game'.
Interrogar vs. Preguntar
Mistake: “Using 'interrogar' for simple questions like 'What time is it?'”
Correction: Use 'preguntar' for everyday questions and 'interrogar' only for formal or serious questioning.
Doubt vs. Formal Questioning
Related Translations
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