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, often with an element of doubt..
sospechar
/sos-peh-CHAR//sospeˈtʃaɾ/
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.
oler
oh-LEHR/oˈleɾ/
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-MEHR/teˈmeɾ/
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.
Don't use 'temer' for guilt
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