Inklingo

buscado

boo-SKAH-doh/busˈkaðo/

buscado means searched in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

searched, looked for

Also: sought
VerbA1regular ar
A child kneeling in a grassy field, using a magnifying glass to closely examine the ground, indicating a search.
infinitivebuscar
gerundbuscando
past Participlebuscado

📝 In Action

Hemos buscado las llaves por toda la casa.

A1

We have looked for the keys throughout the whole house.

Ella había buscado una solución antes de rendirse.

B1

She had searched for a solution before giving up.

sought-after, wanted

Also: notorious
A shiny, highly desirable red toy car resting on a pedestal, with several children lining up and pointing at it, showing it is sought-after.

📝 In Action

Es un talento muy buscado en el mundo de la música.

B2

He is a very sought-after talent in the music world.

La policía capturó al criminal más buscado del país.

B2

The police captured the country's most wanted criminal.

Las flores más buscadas son las rosas rojas.

B1

The most desired flowers are red roses.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • deseado (desired)
  • solicitado (requested)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: buscado

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'buscado' as an adjective?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
buscar(to search, to look for)Verb
búsqueda(search, quest)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Comes from the verb 'buscar', which originated in Late Latin as *būscāre*. The root is thought to be related to the idea of 'looking for wood in the forest' (linked to the French word for wood, *bûche*), highlighting a historical connection to actively searching for something essential.

First recorded: Medieval Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: buscadoCatalan: buscat

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'buscado' sometimes mean 'popular' and sometimes 'wanted' (like a criminal)?

Both meanings stem from the core idea of 'looked for.' If something is popular (sought-after), many people are looking for it. If a criminal is 'wanted,' the police are actively looking for him. The context tells you the specific nuance.

How do I know if I should use 'buscado' or 'buscada'?

If you are using it as an adjective (like 'sought-after'), it must match the thing you are describing. If the thing is feminine (like 'la actriz'), use 'buscada'. If it's masculine (like 'el actor'), use 'buscado'.