indagar
Lemma Details
Translation: to investigate; to inquire; to probe; to research; to look into
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: From Latin 'indagare', meaning 'to track down' or 'to search out', which was formed from 'in-' (into) + 'dagare' (to track). The Latin term was originally used in hunting contexts to describe tracking animals. The English cognate 'investigate' shares the same Latin root, though it entered English through a different path. Both words maintain the core meaning of searching thoroughly for information.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La policía está indagando sobre el origen del incendio.
The police are investigating the origin of the fire.
El periodista indagó en los archivos históricos para su artículo.
The journalist researched the historical archives for his article.
Necesitamos indagar más antes de tomar una decisión.
We need to inquire more before making a decision.
El detective indaga en el pasado del sospechoso.
The detective is looking into the suspect's past.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'in-danger' – when you investigate something, you might be looking into a dangerous situation.
- Connect it to 'dig' – when you 'indagar', you're digging for information.
- Remember the English word 'inquisitive' which shares a similar meaning of seeking information.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'indagar' is commonly used in legal and journalistic contexts. It appears frequently in news reports about police investigations or judicial proceedings. The term has a somewhat more formal tone than its synonym 'investigar' in everyday speech.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both mean 'to investigate', 'indagar' often implies a more preliminary or exploratory investigation, whereas 'investigar' can suggest a more formal, thorough, or scientific investigation.
Confused word:
El científico investigó el fenómeno durante años.
The scientist investigated the phenomenon for years.
Notes: In legal contexts, both terms may be used, but 'investigar' often appears in more formal documentation.
Mnemonic: 'Indagar' is like the initial 'digging' while 'investigar' is the full excavation.
Explanation: Though they look somewhat similar, 'indagar' means 'to investigate' while 'indignarse' means 'to become indignant' or 'to be outraged'.
Confused word:
El público se indignó por el escándalo político.
The public became outraged by the political scandal.
Notes: The 'g' in both words is pronounced differently in Spanish: soft in 'indagar' and hard in 'indignarse'.
Mnemonic: 'Indagar' has to do with finding information, while 'indignarse' has to do with feelings of anger or outrage.