Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to look for" in Spanish: buscar
buscar
To look for in Spanish is buscar. Say yo busco and ¿Qué buscas? Buscar already means look for—no extra por.
In a store
Busco una camisa blanca, por favor.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce buscar
Say it
boo-SKAHR / BOOS-koh
/bus.ˈkaɾ/
boo-SKAHR. Yo busco is BOOS-koh. Stress falls on SKAHR in buscar.
"to look for" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| buscar | to look for Dictionary infinitive. | Dictionary infinitive. |
| yo busco | I look for Present first person. | Present first person. |
| ¿qué buscas? | what are you looking for? Shop or help ask. | Shop or help ask. |
| buscar trabajo | to look for a job Career talk. | Career talk. |
| ustedes buscan | you all look for Latin American plural you. | Latin American plural you. |
How to use buscar in real life
- 1In a store
Busco una camisa blanca, por favor.
I'm looking for a white shirt, please.
Busco from buscar.
- 2Help ask
¿Buscas las llaves también?
Are you looking for the keys too?
Buscas is tú of buscar.
- 3Job talk
Estoy buscando trabajo en diseño.
I'm looking for a job in design.
Buscando is the gerund of buscar.
Mistakes English speakers make with buscar
Incorrect: Busco por mis llaves.
Correct: Busco mis llaves.
Buscar already means look for; skip por.
Incorrect: Yo buscar mi teléfono.
Correct: Yo busco mi teléfono.
Conjugate buscar: yo busco.
Good to know
Good to knowStaff often open with ¿Qué buscas? in shops. Buscar trabajo is the usual job-hunt phrase. No need for look for as two English words—buscar covers it.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
In a market
ChatPal
¿Qué buscas aquí?
What are you looking for here?
You
Busco aguacates maduros.
I'm looking for ripe avocados.
ChatPal
Están allá. Yo busco limones.
They're over there. I'm looking for lemons.
You
Gracias. Voy para allá.
Thanks. I'll go that way.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to look for" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to look for" in Spanish
How do I say I'm looking for…?
Busco…
Do I need por after buscar?
No. Buscar already means look for.
What are you looking for?
¿Qué buscas?
How do you pronounce buscar?
boo-SKAHR, stress on SKAHR.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- 8 Sentences with Ser in Spanish: Examples and GrammarExplore 8 sentences with ser in spanish covering identity, origin, time, and materials, with translations, grammar tips, and mistakes to avoid.
- 33 in Spanish: How to Say It and Use It NaturallyLearn how to say 33 in Spanish with clear pronunciation, ordinal forms, regional variations, and real example sentences for confident everyday speaking.
