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"Encontrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to find", and "buscar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to look for". Learn more about the difference between "encontrar" and "buscar" below.
encontrar(
ehn
-
kohn
-
trahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to uncover)
a. to discover
Ellos encontraron una caja vieja en el bosque.They discovered an old box in the forest.
b. to encounter
Encontramos una bifurcación en el sendero y no sabíamos qué dirección tomar.We encountered a fork in the road and didn't know which path to take.
a. to find
¿No te gusta ir al teatro? - No, lo encuentro muy aburrido.Don't you like to go to the theater? - No, I find it very boring.
encontrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be
La playa se encuentra al otro lado de la calle.The beach is on the opposite side of the street.
5. (to sense)
a. to run into
¿Has visto a tu ex recientemente? - Sí. Nos encontramos en el metro hace unas semanas.Have you seen your ex recently? - Yes. We ran into each other on the metro a couple of weeks ago.
b. to run across
Ayer me encontré con Francisca. No sabía que estaba embarazada.I ran across Francisca yesterday. I didn't know she was pregnant.
c. to bump into
La semana pasada me encontré con tu hermano. Se ve más sano.I bumped into your brother last week. He looks healthier.
buscar(
boos
-
kahrr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to try to find
Debemos centrarnos en buscar una solución al problema.We must focus on trying to find a solution to the problem.
a. to try to spot
Cuando entré en la discoteca, busqué a mis amigos con la mirada, pero no los vi.When I went into the club, I tried to spot my friends, but couldn't see them.
b. to look for
Sus ojos recorrieron la habitación, buscándola.His eyes went around the room, looking for her.
a. to seek
Buscamos cambios fundamentales en el modelo de negocio para asegurar nuestro futuro.We're seeking fundamental changes in our business model to secure our future.
4. (to locate)
5. (to provoke)
a. to look for
Ese hermano tuyo siempre anda buscando problemas.That brother of yours is always looking for trouble.
b. to pick
No busco pelea, solo quiero que me escuches.I'm not picking a fight. I just want you to listen to what I have to say.
6. (to collect)
a. to pick up
Estuve esperando a que mi hermano viniera a buscarme para ir a almorzar.I was waiting for my brother to come and pick me up for lunch.
b. to fetch
Tengo que ir a buscar las flores para la fiesta.I need to go to fetch the flowers for the party.
7. (computing)
a. to search for
Pasé la tarde buscando ofertas de vacaciones en Internet.I spent the afternoon searching for vacation deals on the Internet.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
8. (to search)
buscarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
9. (to provoke)
a. to ask for
Se está buscado problemas si sigue así.He's asking for trouble if he continues like that.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No me da pena porque él mismo se la buscó.I don't feel sorry for him because he was asking for it.
Tú te lo buscaste. No culpes a nadie más.You brought it on yourself. Don't blame anyone else.
