Busco o buscando?

Question

If someone asks you "que hace" (what are you doing) and you reply busco la llaves. Is that response reasonable and taken to mean (I'm looking for my keys) or is the buscando gerund more appropriate?

Answer 1

If you're doing it right at that moment - estoy buscando las llaves - being the present progressive (action in progress at the present) is a good option

Answer 2

Either works. I think it sounds more natural to say "busco" but I use "estoy buscando" all the time and don't get any funny looks. There are lots more rules the use of both, but for what you are trying to say, this will suffice.

Answer 3

I think it depends on the question. Although, all of the options are correct, as follows:

¿Qué hace? - Busco las llaves

¿Qué está haciendo? - Buscando las llaves.

¿Qué hace? - Buscando las llaves.

¿Qué está haciendo? - Busco las llaves