Inklingo

How to Say "to suspect" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to suspect” is “sospechar” — use this when you believe someone has done something wrong or is involved in something illicit.

English → Spanish

sospechar

sos-peh-CHARsospeˈtʃaɾ

verbB1
Use this when you believe someone has done something wrong or is involved in something illicit.
A person looking suspiciously over their shoulder at someone else holding a hidden object.

Examples

La policía sospecha de su vecino.

The police suspect his neighbor.

Sospecho que nos están ocultando algo.

I suspect they are hiding something from us.

No tengo pruebas, pero lo sospechaba desde hace tiempo.

I don't have proof, but I've suspected it for a long time.

Using 'de' with people

When you suspect a specific person, you usually add the word 'de' before the person's name or pronoun. For example: 'Sospecho de ti' (I suspect you).

Forgetting the 'de'

Mistake: “Sospecho el vecino.”

Correction: Sospecho del vecino. Use 'de' when the object of your suspicion is a person.

presentir

pre-sen-TEERpɾesenˈtiɾ

verbB1
Use this when you have an intuition or a hunch about something that might happen, often without concrete evidence.
A person looking at a bright, glowing butterfly landing on their hand with a look of peaceful anticipation.

Examples

Presiento que algo bueno va a pasar hoy.

I have a feeling that something good is going to happen today.

Ella presintió el peligro y decidió no entrar en el edificio.

She sensed the danger and decided not to enter the building.

Los animales suelen presentir los terremotos antes que los humanos.

Animals usually sense earthquakes before humans do.

The 'E' to 'IE' Change

In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of the word changes to 'ie' (like 'presiento'), except for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all in Spain' (vosotros) forms.

The 'E' to 'I' Past Change

When talking about 'him', 'her', 'them', or 'you' (formal) in the past, the 'e' changes to 'i' (presintió, presintieron).

Confusing 'presentir' with 'presentar'

Mistake: “Yo presento que va a llover.”

Correction: Yo presiento que va a llover. 'Presentar' means 'to present' or 'to introduce,' while 'presentir' means 'to sense' or 'have a feeling.'

oler

oh-LEHRoˈleɾ

verbB2informal
Use this idiomatically when you sense that something is wrong, dubious, or not quite right about a situation.
A person looking highly suspicious and doubtful while holding a questionable, slightly green fish in their hand.

Examples

Esa oferta de trabajo me huele muy mal.

That job offer smells very fishy to me.

El trato huele a fraude. No confío.

The deal smells like fraud. I don't trust it.

Algo huele a podrido en este plan.

Something smells rotten in this plan.

Figurative Use

This meaning extends the idea of a 'bad' physical smell to a 'bad' feeling or suspicion about a situation.

temer

teh-MEHRteˈmeɾ

verbC1
Use this when you suspect or fear that a negative event or outcome is likely to occur.
A person is looking up nervously at a single, dark, ominous storm cloud gathering in the distance, illustrating suspicion that something bad is about to happen.

Examples

Temo que esta decisión cause un conflicto político.

I suspect/worry that this decision will cause political conflict.

La empresa teme una reducción en sus ganancias trimestrales.

The company suspects a reduction in its quarterly earnings.

Meaning Shift

In this formal sense, 'temer' often means 'to anticipate with worry' or 'to suspect strongly,' rather than just being terrified.

vislumbrar

bees-loom-BRARbis.lumˈbɾaɾ

verbC1formal
Use this when you are beginning to understand or perceive a hidden truth, a solution, or a future possibility.
A small sprout growing in the soil with a faint, glowing silhouette of a large leafy tree surrounding it.

Examples

Ya se empieza a vislumbrar una solución al conflicto.

A solution to the conflict is already starting to be foreseen.

Vislumbro un futuro lleno de oportunidades para ti.

I foresee a future full of opportunities for you.

En sus palabras se vislumbraba un profundo arrepentimiento.

In his words, one could sense a deep regret.

Abstract Use

When used for ideas, it often means you are just beginning to see or understand something that was previously hidden or unclear.

Confusing 'sospechar' with 'presentir'

Learners often confuse 'sospechar' (suspecting wrongdoing) with 'presentir' (having a hunch). Remember that 'sospechar' implies doubt about someone's actions or involvement, while 'presentir' is about anticipating a future event or feeling.

Related Translations

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