Enterarse, averiguar, darse cuenta de

Question

Are all of these exaclty the same, or do they each have their own special context?

I learned "averiguar" at first, but most the time I use "darse cuenta". I've been reading a book and they always use "enterarse".

I feel they're the same, but I could be wrong.

Answer 1

Enterarse, to me, fits best in the context of finding out because you are told somthing, averiguar is more like, to find out as a result of an investigation whether formal or informal, and darse cuenta is more like, you realize something on your own.

Answer 2

Here is an explanation of the difference that I find very concise and helpful (quoted from another forum).

Cuando averiguas algo, es que lo has investigado y cuando te enteras de algo es porque te lo han contado (ya sea por la tv, te lo cuenta un amigo o lo lees en el periodico).

Answer 3

... and "darse cuenta" is like "to realize": to understand a situation, normally in a sudden manner.