infiltran

Infiltran is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb infiltrar, meaning “they infiltrate.” The word can refer to secretly entering a group, organization, or space, or to the movement of liquids or gases through porous materials. The term is used in contexts ranging from security and espionage to hydrology and materials science.

Etymology and meanings: Infiltrar comes from Latin infiltrare, itself formed by in- “into, inside” and filtrare “to filter.” In everyday Spanish, infiltrar covers both figurative and physical senses: someone can infiltrar an organization by introducing a covert agent, while a liquid can infiltrar through a porous barrier.

Usage: In security or intelligence discussions, infiltrar describes covertly placing agents, informants, or influence within a target group to obtain information or sway decisions. In scientific contexts, it denotes fluids passing into a material or through a boundary, such as agua que infiltra el suelo. In more figurative language, ideas, rumors, or cultural influences can infiltrar a sociedad, altering opinions or behaviors gradually.

Conjugation notes: Infiltran corresponds to the third-person plural present indicative: ellos infiltran. Related present tense forms include infiltro (yo), infiltras (tú), infiltra (él/ella/Ud), infiltramos (nosotros), infiltráis (vosotros). Other tenses follow regular -ar verb patterns.

See also: Infiltración (the act or process of infiltrating) and infiltrante (something or someone that infiltrates).