Inklingo

How to Say "to verify" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to verify” is “asegurarse” — use 'asegurarse' when you need to make sure something is true or has been done, often involving a personal check or confirmation.

asegurarse🔊A2

Use 'asegurarse' when you need to make sure something is true or has been done, often involving a personal check or confirmation.

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comprobar🔊A2

Choose 'comprobar' when you need to confirm the accuracy or truth of something, often by checking facts or evidence.

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verificar🔊B1

Use 'verificar' when you are confirming that something is correct or valid, especially in a more formal or procedural context.

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chequear🔊A2

Use 'chequear' for informal situations when you want to quickly check or confirm something, like information or a status.

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constatar🔊B2

Employ 'constatar' when you need to establish or confirm a fact or a reality, often based on observation or evidence.

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contrastar🔊B2

Use 'contrastar' when the act of verifying involves comparing or cross-checking information from different sources.

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asegurarme🔊A2

Use 'asegurarme' when you are personally checking or confirming something to be certain about it.

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English → Spanish

asegurarse

ah-seh-goo-RAHR-sehaseɣuˈɾaɾse

verbA2general
Use 'asegurarse' when you need to make sure something is true or has been done, often involving a personal check or confirmation.
A cartoon character firmly pressing down on a large, securely fastened padlock on a sturdy wooden storage chest, indicating they are verifying its security.

Examples

Asegúrate de que la puerta esté cerrada antes de salir.

Make sure the door is closed before leaving.

Me aseguré de tener todo lo necesario para el viaje.

I made sure I had everything necessary for the trip.

Ella siempre se asegura de que sus invitados estén cómodos.

She always ensures her guests are comfortable.

The Reflexive Pronoun ('se')

Since this is 'asegurarse,' you must use the little pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that matches the person doing the action. The action of making sure is directed back at the person doing the checking.

Using 'de que'

When you use 'asegurarse' to confirm a fact, it is usually followed by 'de que' (or sometimes just 'que'), like: 'Me aseguré de que todo estuviera bien.' (I made sure that everything was fine.)

Forgetting the Reflexive Part

Mistake: “Aseguro la puerta.”

Correction: Me aseguro de la puerta. (Unless you mean 'I lock/fasten the door' which is the non-reflexive verb 'asegurar'.) When you mean 'make sure,' you must use the 'se' form.

comprobar

kom-proh-BARkom.pɾoˈβaɾ

verbA2general
Choose 'comprobar' when you need to confirm the accuracy or truth of something, often by checking facts or evidence.
A friendly character wearing glasses, holding a magnifying glass, carefully examining a single sheet of paper on a desk, symbolizing verification.

Examples

Necesitas comprobar la hora de salida del tren en la pantalla.

You need to check the train's departure time on the screen.

El policía comprobó mi identidad antes de dejarme pasar.

The police officer verified my identity before letting me pass.

Compruebo dos veces el correo electrónico antes de enviarlo.

I double-check the email before sending it.

Stem Change 'O' to 'UE'

In the present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' when the stress falls on the root word (e.g., 'yo compruebo'). This change skips the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms.

Confusing 'comprobar' and 'chequear'

Mistake: “Using 'chequear' (a Spanglish verb) when 'comprobar' is more formal and appropriate for verifying facts or documents.”

Correction: Use 'comprobar' when the action involves confirming accuracy or validity; use 'revisar' or 'mirar' for a simple look-over.

verificar

beh-ree-fee-KAHRbeɾifiˈkaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'verificar' when you are confirming that something is correct or valid, especially in a more formal or procedural context.
A person using a magnifying glass to look closely at a green checkmark on a wooden table.

Examples

Por favor, verifica tu correo electrónico para activar la cuenta.

Please check your email to activate the account.

El sistema tiene que verificar tu contraseña.

The system needs to verify your password.

Debemos verificar los datos antes de publicar el informe.

We must verify the data before publishing the report.

The Spelling Swap

In the 'I' form of the past (preterite) and in all 'wish' forms (subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This is just to keep the hard 'K' sound: 'verifiqué' instead of 'verificé'.

Verificar vs. Revisar

Mistake: “Using 'verificar' when you just want to look over something casually.”

Correction: Use 'revisar' for browsing or reviewing, and 'verificar' when you specifically need to prove something is correct or true.

chequear

che-ke-ARt͡ʃe.keˈaɾ

verbA2informal
Use 'chequear' for informal situations when you want to quickly check or confirm something, like information or a status.
A person looking under the hood of a car with a flashlight.

Examples

Dame un minuto, tengo que chequear mi correo.

Give me a minute, I have to check my email.

Por favor, chequea si la puerta está cerrada.

Please, check if the door is closed.

El mecánico chequeó los frenos del coche.

The mechanic checked the car's brakes.

A Borrowed Word

This word is an 'anglicism,' meaning it was borrowed from the English word 'check.' It behaves exactly like a regular Spanish -ar verb.

Direct Action

Unlike some verbs that need a small word like 'de' or 'a' after them, you can go straight to the object: 'chequear algo' (check something).

Using it in Spain

Mistake: “Using 'chequear' in a formal meeting in Madrid.”

Correction: In Spain, it's better to use 'revisar' or 'comprobar' as 'chequear' is seen as a very informal Latin American term.

constatar

kohn-stah-TAHRkonstaˈtaɾ

verbB2formal
Employ 'constatar' when you need to establish or confirm a fact or a reality, often based on observation or evidence.
A scientist in a white coat looking through a magnifying glass at a small green plant to confirm its details.

Examples

Pudimos constatar que el motor no funcionaba.

We were able to verify that the motor wasn't working.

El informe permite constatar la mejoría de la economía.

The report allows us to note the improvement in the economy.

Los médicos pudieron constatar la recuperación del paciente.

The doctors were able to confirm the patient's recovery.

Using 'que' after constatar

This verb is almost always followed by the word 'que' (meaning 'that') when you are describing a fact you observed, like 'Constatamos que el precio subió' (We noted that the price went up).

Passive Construction

In news reports, you will often see 'se pudo constatar' (it could be verified). This is a common way to state a fact without saying exactly who verified it.

Confusing with English 'constate'

Mistake: “Using 'constatar' only in legal contexts.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'constatar' is used daily in business and news to mean 'confirming' or 'noticing' facts, even if 'constate' is rare in English.

Mixing up with manifestar

Mistake: “Saying 'constatar' when you simply mean 'to state' or 'to say'.”

Correction: Use 'constatar' only when there is evidence or an observation involved. Use 'decir' or 'manifestar' if you are just speaking.

contrastar

kohn-trahs-TAHRkontɾasˈtaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'contrastar' when the act of verifying involves comparing or cross-checking information from different sources.
A person holding two identical keys side by side to see if they match.

Examples

El periodista debe contrastar la noticia antes de publicarla.

The journalist must verify the news story before publishing it.

Hemos contrastado los datos con tres fuentes distintas.

We have cross-checked the data with three different sources.

Es vital contrastar los resultados del experimento.

It is vital to confirm the results of the experiment.

Verifying 'Against' something

Even in this professional sense, you still use 'con' to indicate what source you are checking the information against.

Confusing with 'Confirmar'

Mistake: “Contraste que la puerta estaba cerrada.”

Correction: Confirmé que la puerta estaba cerrada. Why? Contrastar involves comparing two pieces of data to see if they match or differ; confirming is just checking if something is true.

asegurarme

a-se-gu-rar-measeɣuˈɾaɾme

verbA2general
Use 'asegurarme' when you are personally checking or confirming something to be certain about it.
A young child wearing a blue bicycle helmet is pulling the chin strap firmly with both hands, looking focused to ensure the helmet is securely fastened before riding.

Examples

Necesito asegurarme de que la puerta está cerrada antes de salir.

I need to make sure that the door is closed before leaving.

Quiero asegurarme de que todos mis invitados estén cómodos.

I want to ensure that all my guests are comfortable.

Debes asegurarte de firmar aquí, pero si lo digo yo, es asegurarme.

You must make sure to sign here, but if I say it, it's 'asegurarme'.

The 'Me' Ending

The '-me' at the end means the action of 'asegurar' (to assure) is directed back at 'yo' (me). This is the base form, used after verbs like 'quiero' (I want) or 'necesito' (I need).

Using 'De Que'

After 'asegurarme,' you almost always need the little word 'de' before 'que' when introducing what you are checking: 'Necesito asegurarme de que...' (I need to make sure that...).

Forgetting the 'Me'

Mistake: “Quiero asegurar la información.”

Correction: Quiero asegurarme de la información. ('Asegurar' without 'me' means to insure or secure something else, like a car or a loan.)

General vs. Specific Verification

Learners often confuse 'comprobar', 'verificar', and 'asegurarse'. 'Comprobar' is best for checking factual accuracy, 'verificar' for confirming correctness (like an account), and 'asegurarse' for ensuring something is done or true, often with a personal element.

Related Translations

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