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"Ver" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to see", and "buscar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to look for". Learn more about the difference between "ver" and "buscar" below.
ver(
behr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to observe)
a. to watch
Se sentaron en el sofá a ver su programa de televisión favorito.They sat on the sofa to watch their favorite television program.
b. to look at
Me gusta ir a ver los cuadros en el museo.I like to go look at paintings in the museum.
c. to see
He leído el libro, pero no he visto la película. ¿Es buena?I've read the book but haven't seen the movie. Is it any good?
3. (to notice)
a. to see
¿Tú ves la diferencia entre esta camisa y la azul?Do you see the difference between this shirt and the blue one?
4. (to verify)
a. to see
Este campo vio la muerte de muchos durante la guerra.This field saw the death of many during the war.
b. to witness
Esta ciudad ha visto tiempos buenos y malos.This city has witnessed good times and bad.
c. to live through
Mi abuelo ha visto cuatro guerras y sigue siendo optimista.My grandfather has lived through four wars, and he's still an optimist.
8. (to picture)
b. to imagine
Todavía los puedo ver como si fuera ayer.I can still imagine you guys like it was yesterday.
9. (to meet)
10. (legal)
11. (to study)
a. to look at
El semestre que viene veremos el impacto de las empresas sobre el medioambiente.Next semester we will look at the impact of companies on the environment.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
13. (to observe)
a. to watch
Mamá, ¡ve! Puedo manejar el carro yo solito.Mom, watch! I can drive the car all by myself.
14. (to verify)
15. (to consider)
16. (to comprehend)
a. to see
¿Ya ves? - No, no veo. Explícame de nuevo la situación.You see? - No, I don't see. Explain the situation to me again.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
18. (appearance)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ese actor no es de mal ver, pero a mí no me gusta.That actor isn't bad-looking, but I don't find him attractive.
¿Cómo es tu prima? - Es inteligente, trabajadora, y además tiene buen ver.What's your cousin like? - She's smart, hardworking, and she's also good-looking.
verse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to see oneself
Me quiero ver en el espejo a ver cómo me queda el corte de pelo.I want to see myself in the mirror to see how my haircut looks.
a. to see oneself
No me veo trabajando aquí de por vida.I don't see myself working here for the rest of my life.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
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.
