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"Ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "buscar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to look for". Learn more about the difference between "ser" and "buscar" below.
ser(
sehr
)
A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
copular verb
a. to be
Es alto y rubio.He's tall and blond.
Mi abuela es profesora.My grandma is a teacher.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to be
Soy de Nueva York.I'm from New York.
a. to be
El lápiz es para escribir, no para lanzar.Pencils are for writing, not for throwing.
a. to be
¿Cuánto es el total? - Son diez dólares.How much does it come to? - It's ten dollars.
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to be
Este reloj es de mi madre.This watch is my mother's.
a. to be
La fiesta será en mi casa.The party will be at my place.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
impersonal verb
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. being
Hay un ser vivo en el lago, pero no sé qué es.There's a living being in the lake, but I don't know what it is.
a. person
Su papá es un ser muy agradable.Her dad is a very nice person.
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buscar(
boos
-
kahrr
)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. to look for
Estoy buscando un nuevo desafío.I'm looking for a new challenge.
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.
a. to look up
Busca el número en el catálogo.Look up the number in the catalog.
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.
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.
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.).
intransitive verb
a. to look
Busca bien. En alguna parte tienen que estar.Look properly. They must be somewhere.
buscarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
pronominal verb
a. to ask for
Se está buscado problemas si sigue así.He's asking for trouble if he continues like that.
b.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct 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.
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