espiar
Lemma Details
Translation: to spy; to spy on; to watch secretly; to eavesdrop; to snoop
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Derived from Latin 'speculari' meaning 'to observe' or 'to watch'. This Latin term is related to 'specere' (to look at), which also gave us English words like 'spectacle', 'inspect', and 'spectator'. The connection between 'espiar' and observation/watching is clear in both languages, though Spanish developed the connotation of secretive watching.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of an 'espía' (spy) who needs to 'espiar' (spy on) someone.
- Sounds like 'espy' in English, which means to catch sight of something.
- Remember the phrase 'spy with my little eye' - 'espiar con mi pequeño ojo'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
The concept of espionage has been significant in Spanish history, particularly during periods like the Spanish Civil War and Franco's dictatorship when government surveillance was common. In modern Spanish-speaking cultures, the term has both political connotations and everyday usage for nosy behavior.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Espiar' means 'to spy on' while 'esperar' means 'to wait' or 'to hope'. They look similar but have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
Tengo que esperar el autobús.
I have to wait for the bus.
Notes: The confusion is common among beginners because both verbs start with 'esp-' and are regular -ar verbs.
Mnemonic: 'Espiar' has an 'i' like 'spy' in English, while 'esperar' has an 'e' like in 'expect' (to wait).
Explanation: 'Espiar' means 'to spy' while 'expiar' means 'to atone for' or 'to expiate'. They differ by just one letter but have entirely different meanings.
Confused word:
Debe expiar sus pecados.
He must atone for his sins.
Notes: The pronunciation is also different: es-pi-ar vs. ex-pi-ar.
Mnemonic: 'Expiar' has an 'x' like in 'expiate' (to make amends), while 'espiar' has an 's' like in 'spy'.