Noun
/saˈβweso/
The term sabueso refers mainly to a type of hunting dog, particularly a bloodhound that is known for its keen sense of smell and ability to track scents over great distances. Colloquially, it can also refer to a person who is very astute and capable of investigating or uncovering information, akin to a sleuth or detective.
The frequency of use of "sabueso" is relatively common in both spoken and written Spanish, particularly in contexts related to hunting, tracking, law enforcement, or when describing someone as insightful or investigative. However, it is more commonly used in oral contexts when describing a person’s skills in investigation.
El sabueso siguió el rastro del fugitivo sin perderlo de vista.
The hound followed the fugitive's trail without losing sight of it.
El detective era un verdadero sabueso, siempre encontrando pistas que otros habían pasado por alto.
The detective was a true sleuth, always finding clues that others had overlooked.
Aunque no era un sabueso profesional, logró resolver el misterio del robo.
Although he was not a professional sleuth, he managed to solve the mystery of the theft.
While "sabueso" itself isn't the basis of many idiomatic expressions, it conveys a sense of investigation or pursuit that can be contextualized in several phrases or constructs:
Ella sabe como un sabueso dónde encontrar la información que necesitamos.
She knows like a sleuth where to find the information we need.
Poner el ojo como un sabueso
To keep an eye like a bloodhound
El periodista siempre pone el ojo como un sabueso en las noticias más exclusivas.
The journalist always keeps an eye like a bloodhound on the most exclusive news.
Seguir la pista como un sabueso
Follow the trail like a hound
The word sabueso originates from the Latin word "sanguis," which means blood, referring specifically to "bloodhound." The term evolved through Romance languages to refer specifically to the breed of dog that is adept at tracking scents.
Synonyms: - Perro de caza (hunting dog) - Rastreador (tracker)
Antonyms: - Presa (prey) - Huida (escape)
This comprehensive description of the word "sabueso" highlights its various meanings, usage in idiomatic expressions, and contextual aids for understanding its significance in the Spanish language.