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

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

/es.piˈaɾ/

Translation Options into English

• To spy
• To observe secretly

Meaning and Usage

The verb "espiar" means to observe or watch someone or something secretly, often with the intent to gather information or intelligence. It can refer to a range of activities, from personal surveillance to more serious actions associated with espionage and intelligence gathering in a legal or military context.

In the Spanish language, "espiar" is generally used in both oral and written forms, although it may appear more frequently in literary contexts, law enforcement discussions, and political discourse due to its implications of surveillance and secrecy.

Example Sentences

1. "El detective decidió espiar al sospechoso para reunir pruebas."

2. "The detective decided to spy on the suspect to gather evidence."

3. "No es correcto espiar a tus amigos sin su consentimiento."

4. "It is not right to spy on your friends without their consent."

5. "El gobierno está acusado de espiar a sus ciudadanos."

6. "The government is accused of spying on its citizens."

Idiomatic Expressions

The word "espiar" is associated with several idiomatic expressions in Spanish that convey meanings of surveillance, secrecy, and hidden observation.

1. "Espiar a la gente"
2. "To spy on people"

3. Example: "Él suele espiar a la gente desde la ventana."

   • "He often spies on people from the window."

4. "Espiar como una sombra"

5. "To spy like a shadow"

6. Example: "Ella se esconde para espiar como una sombra."

   • "She hides to spy like a shadow."

7. "No dejes que te espien"

8. "Don't let them spy on you"

9. Example: "Siempre es mejor tener cuidado para que no dejes que te espien."

   • "It's always better to be cautious so that you don’t let them spy on you."

10. "Espiar detrás de la cortina"

11. "To spy behind the curtain"
12. Example: "El niño espiaba detrás de la cortina para ver lo que pasaba."
    • "The child was spying behind the curtain to see what was happening."

Etymology

The word "espiar" originates from the Latin verb "speculare," which means "to look out" or "to observe." Over time, it evolved in Spanish to refer specifically to the act of observing stealthily, capturing the essence of secretive watching or gathering information.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Vigilar (to watch) - Observar (to observe) - Monitorizar (to monitor)

Antonyms: - Ignorar (to ignore) - Desatender (to neglect) - Evitar (to avoid)

This comprehensive information provides a clear understanding of the word "espiar" in various contexts and its use in the Spanish language.