investigación
/imbestiɡaˈθjon/feminine
The English phrase "investigation" is translated into Spanish as investigación. Wiktionary also lists pesquisa and indagación.
Meaning: the act of investigating (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| investigación | /imbestiɡaˈθjon/ /imbestiɡaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| pesquisa | /pesˈkisa/ | feminine |
| indagación | /indaɡaˈθjon/ /indaɡaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
All three forms, investigación, pesquisa and indagación, refer to the act of investigating. While investigación is the general term, the other forms are used to shade the meaning toward specific contexts like legal inquiries or academic probing.
Which one should you use?
investigación is the general-purpose word for investigation. pesquisa is often used in more formal, legal or police contexts to refer to a specific line of inquiry. indagación emphasizes the act of questioning or probing for information, often used in more academic or formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun investigación is feminine and requires feminine articles like la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/imbestiɡaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- The word investigación descends from the Latin investīgātiōnem, which originally described the act of following a track or footprint.
- In Spanish, the act of conducting a police investigation is often described using the verb averiguar, which focuses on the goal of finding the truth rather than the process of the 'investigation' itself.
- The word indagación shares a Latin root with the English word 'indagation', though that term is extremely rare in modern English and almost exclusively used in specialized philosophy or law.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo va la investigación?How is the investigation going?This sentence is useful for asking about the progress of an investigación.Tatoeba #2101762 by marcelostockle, translation #1839470 by CK
- La investigación ha terminado.The investigation is over.This sentence is useful for stating that an investigación has reached its end.Tatoeba #7546581 by arh, translation #4500353 by CK
- Haré una profunda investigación.I'll make a thorough investigation.This sentence is useful for describing the intent to perform a thorough investigación.Tatoeba #5701917 by albrusgher, translation #3071704 by sharptoothed
- El profesor de Química está llevando a cabo una investigación sobre nuevos materiales.The Chemistry professor is conducting an investigation on new materials.
- La policía está realizando una indagación exhaustiva sobre el robo.The police are conducting a thorough investigation of the robbery.
- El juez ordenó llevar a cabo una pesquisa detallada para esclarecer el caso.The judge ordered a detailed investigation to clarify the case.
- Estoy investigando sobre los mejores destinos turísticos en España.I am researching the best tourist destinations in Spain.
- Los periodistas comenzaron a escudriñar los archivos en busca de más información.The journalists started to investigate the files in search of more information.
- La Fiscalía realiza una averiguación sobre el presunto fraude bancario.The Attorney General's Office is conducting an investigation on the alleged bank fraud.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a project at the office.
- MateoElena, ¿ya empezaste la investigación del caso?Elena, have you already started the investigation of the case?
- ElenaSí, Mateo, pero necesito más tiempo.Yes, Mateo, but I need more time.
- MateoLa investigación es muy importante para el cliente.The investigation is very important for the client.
- ElenaEntiendo, tendré los resultados mañana.I understand, I will have the results tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “investigation” translations and entries investigación, pesquisa, indagación, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries indagación, investigación, pesquisa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
