Buscar: to look for, to search
Pronunciation: boos-KAHR (stress the capital letters)
Buscar means “to look for, to search” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to look for, to search
- How to say it: boos-KAHR
- Present: yo busco, tú buscas
- Level: Beginner (A1)
What “buscar” means and how to use it
Buscar means “to look for” or “to search.” In Spanish it already includes the idea of “for,” so you do not add a preposition.
How to conjugate “buscar”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | busco | I |
| tú | buscas | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | busca | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | buscamos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | buscan | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo busqué, él buscó | I / he or she |
| Past participle | buscado | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Busco mis llaves.I am looking for my keys.
- Mi hermano busca trabajo.My brother is looking for a job.
- ¿Qué buscas?What are you looking for?
Usage tip
Do not say “buscar por.” Use buscar plus a direct object, adding “a” only before a specific person: busco a mi hijo. The past of “yo” is “busqué.”
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to look for, to search” in Spanish?
“to look for, to search” in Spanish is “buscar.” It is pronounced boos-KAHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “buscar”?
Say boos-KAHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “buscar”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “busqué” and “él” is “buscó.” The past participle is “buscado.”
Practice “buscar” for free
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