buscar
Lemma: buscar
Translation: to search; to look for; to seek; to find (verb)
Etymology: From Old Spanish buscar, possibly from Latin *boscāre ('to look for in the woods'), from boscus ('woods'). Some scholars suggest it may be related to the Germanic root *busk- ('bush, woods'). The evolution of meaning from 'to search in the woods' to the general sense of 'to search' shows how language adapts from specific contexts to broader applications.
Example Usage
Estoy buscando mis llaves.
I am looking for my keys.
Busca información en internet.
Look for information on the internet.
Buscamos una solución al problema.
We are looking for a solution to the problem.
¿Qué buscas en la vida?
What are you seeking in life?
El perro busca a su dueño.
The dog is looking for its owner.
Mnemonics
- Think of being in a 'bus car' searching for your destination.
- Sounds a bit like 'to ask' which is often what you do when you're looking for something.
- Remember the phrase 'busca la vida' (seek life) to connect with the core meaning of searching.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
A fundamental verb in Spanish that appears in many idiomatic expressions. In Latin American countries, 'buscar' is often used in contexts related to employment ('buscar trabajo' - to look for work) and is central to discussions about life opportunities and migration.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'buscar' means 'to look for' or 'to search', 'encontrar' means 'to find' or 'to encounter'. 'Buscar' is the process, 'encontrar' is the result.
Notes: These verbs often appear together in sequence: 'Busqué las llaves y las encontré' (I looked for the keys and found them).
Mnemonic: Buscar comes before encontrar: first you search, then you find.
Explanation: 'Buscar' means 'to search' while 'preguntar' means 'to ask'. They can be confused because in English we sometimes say 'ask for' when we mean 'look for'.
Notes: When you're searching for information by asking others, you might use both: 'Busco información preguntando a expertos' (I'm looking for information by asking experts).
Mnemonic: Preguntar has 'pregunta' (question) in it - you ask questions.