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"Seek" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "buscar", and "search" is a noun which is often translated as "la búsqueda". Learn more about the difference between "seek" and "search" below.
seek(
sik
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. buscar
The prime minister sent envoys to seek allies.El primer ministro envió emisarios a buscar aliados.
2. (to ask for)
3. (to try)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Many teachers choose to seek a master’s degree once they have a few years of experience under their belt.Muchas maestras eligen hacer una maestría luego de obtener un par de años de experiencia.
While it’s not obligatory to seek certification to enter this field, many choose to because of the pay increase that comes with it.Si bien no es obligatorio tener un certificado para entrar en esta industria, muchos obtienen uno porque la paga es mejor.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. buscar
I feel as if I've been seeking for you all my life.Siento que te he estado buscando toda la vida.
search(
suhrch
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (quest)
a. la búsqueda (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The search for the Titanic lasted 73 years.La búsqueda del Titanic duró 73 años.
a. el registro (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The captain arrived and ordered a search of the house.Llegó el comisario y ordenó el registro de la casa.
b. el cateo (M) (Mexico)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Mexico
The police conducted a search of the entire building.La policía efectuó un cateo de todo el edificio.
c. el allanamiento (M) (Latin America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
It is unclear whether the police had a warrant for a house search.No ha quedado claro si la policía tenía una orden de allanamiento domiciliario.
a. el registro (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The drug was discovered during a routine passenger search.La droga fue descubierta durante un registro rutinario de pasajeros.
c. el cateo (M) (Mexico)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Mexico
The concert attendees were subjected to a search before entering.Los asistentes al concierto fueron sometidos a un cateo antes de entrar.
a. registro
They conducted a pocket search looking for drugs.Efectuaron un registro de sus bolsillos en busca de drogas.
5. (computing)
a. la búsqueda (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I did a search online for companies providing those services.Hice una búsqueda en línea de empresas que ofrecen esos servicios.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. registrar
The police thoroughly searched the car for evidence.La policía registró minuciosamente el carro en busca de pruebas.
a. examinar
I searched all her letters but could find nothing relevant for my book.Examiné todas sus cartas pero no encontré nada de interés para mi libro.
b. encontrar en
You can search our online archive for back issues of the magazine.Encontrarás números atrasados de la revista en nuestro archivo en línea.
11. (computing)
a. buscar en
You can search the Internet and find a restaurant in a matter of minutes.Puedes buscar en Internet y encontrar un restaurante en cuestión de minutos.
