vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Ascertain" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "establecer", and "discover" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "descubrir". Learn more about the difference between "ascertain" and "discover" below.
ascertain(
ah
-
suhr
-
teyn
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (general)
a. establecer
The judge ordered an inquiry into the accident in an attempt to ascertain the circumstances surrounding it.El juez pidió que se abriera una investigación sobre el accidente, en un intento por establecer las circunstancias que lo rodearon.
b. determinar
It had proved impossible to ascertain the cause of death.Había resultado imposible determinar la causa de la muerte.
c. averiguar
I think we need to ascertain what's really going on before making a judgment.Yo creo que tenemos que averiguar qué está pasando de verdad antes de formarnos un juicio.
discover(
dihs
-
kuh
-
vuhr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. descubrir
We have not yet discovered life on other planets.Todavía no hemos descubierto vida en otros planetas.
2. (to find)
a. hallar
Yesterday the body of a woman was discovered in a garbage dump not far from the city.Ayer el cuerpo sin vida de una mujer fue hallado en un basurero próximo a la ciudad.
b. encontrar
During their search the police discovered a large haul of cocaine.Durante el registro la policía encontró un gran alijo de cocaína.
3. (to notice)
a. descubrir
I get up and go to my office, only to discover that it is Sunday.Me levanto y me voy a la oficina, para descubrir que es domingo.
b. darse cuenta de
It was then that I discovered I had left my umbrella in the restaurant.Fue entonces cuando me di cuenta de que había dejado el paraguas en el restaurante.
