averiguar (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

averiguar - verb

Phonetic Transcription

/abeɾiˈɣwaɾ/

Translation Options into English

• to find out
• to ascertain
• to investigate
• to verify

Meaning and Usage

The verb averiguar means to seek out information or to investigate in order to discover the truth about something. It is commonly used in both everyday conversation and more formal contexts, making it versatile. The frequency of use is high in informal spoken Spanish, but it is also prevalent in written language, especially in reports or investigative texts.

Example Sentences

1. Necesito averiguar qué pasó en la reunión.

2. I need to find out what happened in the meeting.

3. Ella fue a averiguar el horario de los vuelos.

4. She went to check the flight schedule.

5. Los detectives están tratando de averiguar más sobre el caso.

6. The detectives are trying to investigate more about the case.

Idiomatic Expressions

The word averiguar is not commonly part of idiomatic expressions by itself, but it is often used in various contexts that express the need for investigation or understanding. Here are a few idiomatic usages:

1. Averiguar a fondo
2. Necesitamos averiguar a fondo los detalles de la investigación.

3. We need to find out the details of the investigation thoroughly.

4. Averiguar la verdad

5. Es importante averiguar la verdad detrás de los rumores.

6. It is important to ascertain the truth behind the rumors.

7. Averiguar por las malas

8. Si no le cuentas la verdad, puede que tenga que averiguar por las malas.

9. If you don’t tell him the truth, he might have to find out the hard way.

10. Averiguar en el acto

11. No esperes tanto tiempo; mejor averigua en el acto.
12. Don’t wait so long; it’s better to find out right away.

Etymology

The word averiguar comes from the Latin "verificare," which means "to verify." The prefix "a-" is a preposition that indicates a direction towards a condition, while "averiguar" carries the meaning of moving toward verifying or discovering.

Synonyms

• descubrir (to discover)
• investigar (to investigate)
• comprobar (to verify)
• determinar (to determine)

Antonyms

• ignorar (to ignore)
• desconocer (to be unaware of)
• negar (to deny)

Overall, averiguar serves as a crucial verb in Spanish, particularly when discussing the process of acquiring knowledge or information, whether in casual dialogues or formal investigations.