The Spanish verb "investigar" means to carry out a systematic inquiry to discover or gather information about a particular subject or situation. It is used in various contexts, encompassing general knowledge, legal contexts (such as investigating a crime), and academic research.
In terms of frequency, "investigar" is commonly used in both oral speech and written form, but its presence is especially significant in written contexts such as academic papers, legal documents, and scientific reports.
Spanish: Los detectives necesitan investigar el crimen.
English: The detectives need to investigate the crime.
Spanish: Vamos a investigar las causas de la contaminación.
English: We are going to investigate the causes of pollution.
Spanish: Es fundamental investigar antes de tomar una decisión.
English: It is essential to investigate before making a decision.
"Investigar" is an integral part of several idiomatic expressions in Spanish. Below are examples:
Spanish: Investigar a fondo es crucial para no pasar por alto ningún detalle.
English: Investigating thoroughly is crucial to not overlook any details.
Spanish: No te quedes con la duda, investiga lo que realmente sucedió.
English: Don’t stay in doubt, investigate what really happened.
Spanish: Se debe investigar a la persona antes de contratarla.
English: One should investigate the person before hiring them.
Spanish: Siempre es mejor investigar bien antes de actuar.
English: It is always better to investigate well before taking action.
Spanish: Muchos estudiantes deben investigar más para obtener mejores calificaciones.
English: Many students need to investigate more to achieve better grades.
The word "investigar" comes from the Latin "investigāre," which means "to track down" or "to search into." The prefix "in-" suggests a direction or intensity, and "vestigare" relates to tracing or tracking, signifying a thorough search or inquiry.
In summary, "investigar" is a versatile verb essential for formal and informal contexts regarding inquiry and examination, with various idiomatic uses enriching its significance in the Spanish language.