buscar
to look for, to search
To look for or search for something
Encoding Strategies:
mnemonic
repetition
bus
large motor vehicle
+
car
motor vehicle
Buscar means to look for or to search. Think of frantically searching for your bus0 or scanning a parking lot to find your car1.
buscar
to look for, to search for, to seek
To try to find someone or something.
Estoy buscando mis llaves por toda la casaI'm looking for my keys all over the house
El detective buscó pistas en la escena del crimenThe detective searched for clues at the crime scene
to look up (in a reference)
To look something up in a book, dictionary, or online. You're searching for it in a reference.
Busca la palabra en el diccionarioLook up the word in the dictionary (look for the word in the dictionary)
Busqué su número en la guía telefónicaI looked up his number in the phone book (look for his number in the phone book)
to pick up, to fetch (to collect someone)
When you look for something with the intention of picking it up or collecting it.
Fui a buscar a los niños al colegioI went to pick up the kids from school
¿Puedes ir a buscar el pan?Can you go fetch the bread?
buscarse
to ask for, to bring on oneself (trouble)
When you are looking for or seeking out trouble. Like the English phrase, "he's really asking for it!" The reflexive form signifies personal involvement.
Si sigues así, te vas a buscar problemasIf you keep that up, you're going to ask for trouble
Nadie le tiene lástima porque él mismo se lo buscóNobody feels sorry for him because he brought it on himself