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.
Use this when you believe someone has done something wrong or is involved in something illicit.
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Use this when you have an intuition or a hunch about something that might happen, often without concrete evidence.
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Use this idiomatically when you sense that something is wrong, dubious, or not quite right about a situation.
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Use this when you suspect or fear that a negative event or outcome is likely to occur.
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Use this when you are beginning to understand or perceive a hidden truth, a solution, or a future possibility.
Learn more →sos-peh-CHARsospeˈtʃaɾ
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.
pre-sen-TEERpɾesenˈtiɾ
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.'
oh-LEHRoˈleɾ
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.
teh-MEHRteˈmeɾ
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.
bees-loom-BRARbis.lumˈbɾaɾ
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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