buscar la vida
Lemma Details
Translation: to make a living; to fend for oneself; to seek one's fortune; to hustle
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'buscar' (to look for, to search) and 'la vida' (life). It literally means 'to search for life' but has evolved to mean making efforts to survive economically or to improve one's circumstances. The verb 'buscar' comes from Latin 'buscare', possibly derived from the Indo-European root *bhudh- (to be aware, to wake). The concept parallels the English expressions 'to make one's way in the world' or 'to hustle for a living'.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 50%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Desde que perdió su trabajo, se busca la vida vendiendo artesanías.
Since he lost his job, he's been making a living selling handicrafts.
En tiempos difíciles, hay que saber buscarse la vida.
In difficult times, you need to know how to fend for yourself.
Es una persona muy ingeniosa, siempre se las arregla para buscarse la vida.
He's a very resourceful person, he always manages to make a living.
Emigró a otro país para buscarse la vida.
He emigrated to another country to seek his fortune.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'buscar' (to search) + 'la vida' (life) = actively searching for ways to sustain your life
- Picture someone 'hunting' (buscar) for opportunities to make a living
- Connect it to the English phrase 'hustling for a living' - both involve active pursuit of income
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is commonly used throughout the Spanish-speaking world to describe the universal struggle for economic survival. It often carries connotations of resourcefulness and determination. In some contexts, especially in certain Latin American countries, it can also imply informal or non-traditional ways of making money, including street vending or odd jobs in the informal economy.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'buscar la vida' means to make a living or fend for oneself, 'buscar vida' (without the article) could be interpreted more literally as searching for life, as in looking for signs of life or seeking a more lively environment.
Confused word:
Los científicos buscan vida en otros planetas.
Scientists are looking for life on other planets.
Notes: The presence of the definite article 'la' changes the meaning from literal to idiomatic.
Mnemonic: With 'la' = looking for YOUR life (livelihood); without 'la' = looking for life in general
Explanation: 'Buscar la vida' means to make efforts to survive economically, while 'buscarse problemas' means to look for trouble or to get oneself into difficult situations.
Confused word:
Si sigues provocando a esa gente, te estás buscando problemas.
If you keep provoking those people, you're looking for trouble.
Notes: Both phrases use the reflexive form of 'buscar' but with very different outcomes.
Mnemonic: 'Vida' is positive (seeking livelihood), 'problemas' is negative (seeking trouble)