Spanish Conversation · Level 44
75 words
Spanish word
detective
Pronunciation
IPA/detekˈtiβe/
Meaning
- noun (m./f.)detective
Example
¿Quién es el detective de este caso?
Who is the detective in this case?
More examples
Decidieron contratar a un detective privado para aclarar el asunto.
They decided to hire a private detective to clarify the matter.
Core concept
Professional examiner of clues who reconstructs events.
Common phrases
contratar a un detective
hire a detective
detective privado
private detective
Similar words
policía: Maintains public order, responds to crimes, and enforces the law.
agente: Performs investigative and enforcement duties within an organized agency.
investigador: Collects information and evidence to establish factual accounts of events.
inspector: Directs and coordinates investigations or inspections, confirming results on site.
Definition in Spanish
Profesional que, por encargo o por oficio, busca y analiza pruebas para explicar cómo ocurrieron los hechos.
Word origin
Adopted from modern European detective (English/French) and ultimately from Latin detegere 'to uncover', the word names someone who uncovers facts.
Usage tips
- Spelling matches English but collocations differ: for official police investigators Spanish often uses investigador or investigador policial, while detective commonly implies a private investigator.
Related words
- detectardetectverb
- deteccióndetectionnoun
- detectabledetectableadjective