investigar
verbCEFR B2
What does “investigar” mean in English?
to investigate, to research
to investigate, to research (investigar un tema/caso — carry out systematic inquiry to discover facts or reach conclusions)
Example sentences
El equipo lleva tres años investigando los efectos del cambio climático en la biodiversidad de los arrecifes de coral.
The team has been investigating the effects of climate change on the biodiversity of coral reefs for three years.
La fiscal anunció que investigaría al ex director por presunto fraude en la licitación de contratos públicos.
The prosecutor announced she would investigate the former director for alleged fraud in the tendering of public contracts.
Antes de escribir el artículo, conviene investigar bien el tema para evitar imprecisiones o generalizaciones.
Before writing the article, it is advisable to research the topic thoroughly to avoid inaccuracies or generalisations.
How to use it
Investigar means 'to investigate' or 'to research'. It covers both academic research (investigar un fenómeno — research a phenomenon) and official investigation (investigar un delito — investigate a crime). At B2, both senses are important. Structure: investigar + noun or investigar sobre + topic. The noun is la investigación. Common collocations: llevar a cabo una investigación (carry out an investigation), abrir una investigación (open an investigation), líneas de investigación (research lines).
Common mistake
Investigar covers both scientific research and criminal investigation — two senses that English separates ('research' vs. 'investigate'). Context determines which is meant. 'Investigar a alguien' (with personal a) always means investigate a person in a legal sense. 'Investigar sobre/un tema' means research a topic.