A stylized illustration of a small person on their hands and knees, holding a large magnifying glass and closely examining the ground, symbolizing the action of searching.

búsqueda

BOOS-keh-dah

nounfA2

search?The action or process of looking for something,quest?A long or difficult search

Also:investigation?A formal or detailed search for facts,query?Digital search or database request

📝 In Action

La policía organizó una búsqueda del niño desaparecido.

The police organized a search for the missing child.

Necesito hacer una búsqueda rápida en internet.

I need to do a quick search on the internet.

Mi vida ha sido una constante búsqueda de la felicidad.

My life has been a constant quest for happiness.

Word Connections

Synonyms

exploración (exploration)
rastreo (tracking)

Common Collocations

motor de búsqueda – search engine
búsqueda y rescate – search and rescue
estar en búsqueda de – to be in search of

💡 Grammar Points

Use with Prepositions

When talking about what you are looking for, use the preposition 'de': 'la búsqueda de una casa' (the search for a house).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "Using 'buscar' (the verb) instead of 'búsqueda' (the noun) in phrases like 'hacer un buscar'."

Correction: The action of searching is 'búsqueda', so use 'hacer una búsqueda' (to do a search).

⭐ Usage Tips

The Phrase 'En Busca de'

A very common fixed phrase is 'en busca de...' which means 'in search of...' or 'looking for...'. It’s great for everyday use.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: búsqueda

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase correctly uses 'búsqueda'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

buscar(to search, to look for (verb)) - verb

buscador(searcher, search engine (noun, m)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'búsqueda' have an accent mark?

The accent on the 'ú' is necessary because, without it, the word would be pronounced 'bus-KE-da', following standard Spanish stress rules. The accent shifts the stress to the first syllable: 'BOOS-ke-da'.

Is 'búsqueda' formal or informal?

It is a standard, neutral word used across all contexts, from technical reports (investigation/query) to simple everyday conversation (looking for keys).