Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| investigación | /imbestiɡaˈθjon/ /imbestiɡaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| enquisa | /enkisa/ (from spelling rules) | Spain, feminine |
The word refers to an inquiry or examination. While it can mean both "research" and "investigation," it is the standard term used when referring to academic or scientific research. You may also see the term investigación preliminar used when specifically discussing initial or preliminary research.
Which one should you use?
investigación is the standard term for scientific or academic research, whereas it can also cover the broader sense of a general investigation. In a formal context, you might also use análisis to refer to research or estudio (study), which is often used interchangeably with research.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term enquisa is a variant used specifically in Spain to mean inquiry or investigation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun investigación is feminine and requires feminine articles or adjectives to match.
How do you pronounce it?
/imbestiɡaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- The word investigación shares a common root with the English word 'vestigate', which relates to tracking or following a footprint.
- The word investigador is used to describe both a university scientist and a police detective.
- To say you are 'conducting' an investigación, Spanish speakers use llevar a cabo or realizar instead of the common verb hacer.
Examples in context
- Él trabaja en investigación de SIDA.He is working in AIDS research.Tatoeba #1129970 by cueyayotl, translation #1129963 by ulumills
- De seguro su investigación dará frutos.Your research will surely bear fruit.Tatoeba #1675489 by marcelostockle, translation #70724 by buster_blu
- Nada la puede distraer de su investigación.Nothing can distract her from her research.Tatoeba #1418675 by marcelostockle, translation #1260350 by dominiko
- Estoy realizando una investigación sobre el cambio climáticoI am conducting research on climate change
- El estudio arrojó resultados sorprendentesThe research yielded surprising results
- El informe incluye un análisis detallado de la investigaciónThe report includes a detailed analysis of the research
- Estoy haciendo una indagación sobre los efectos del café en la saludI am doing research on the effects of coffee on health
- Hice una búsqueda de información antes de escribir mi ensayoI did some research before writing my essay
- Realicé una investigación preliminar para conocer más sobre el temaI conducted some preliminary research to learn more about the topic
- Estamos llevando a cabo investigaciones sobre la flora nativaWe are conducting research on native flora
- Investigación científicaScientific research
- Investigación de mercadoMarket research
- estudio de campoField study
- ¡Buena suerte en tus investigaciones!Good luck with your research!
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing a scientific project at a university.
- Lucía¿Cómo va la investigación, Mateo?How is the research going, Mateo?
- MateoVa bien, pero es difícil.It is going well, but it is difficult.
- LucíaTe puedo ayudar con la investigación.I can help you with the research.
- MateoGracias, Lucía, lo agradezco mucho.Thanks, Lucía, I really appreciate it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “research” translations and entries investigación, enquisa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries investigación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
