rastrear
/rahs-treh-ar/
track
To rastrear means to track something physical, often by following its trail or prints.
rastrear(verb)
track
?a package, a phone, an animal
,locate
?a source or signal
monitor
?movement or data
📝 In Action
Quiero rastrear mi paquete, ¿ya salió de la aduana?
A2I want to track my package; has it left customs yet?
La policía pudo rastrear la llamada hasta un edificio abandonado.
B1The police were able to trace the call to an abandoned building.
Los perros están rastreando el olor del excursionista perdido.
B1The dogs are tracking the scent of the lost hiker.
💡 Grammar Points
A Regular Verb
Rastrear is a completely regular -AR verb, meaning it follows all the standard conjugation patterns. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar,' you know how to conjugate 'rastrear'!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Rastrear' and 'Buscar'
Mistake: "Usar 'rastrear' cuando solo se quiere 'buscar'."
Correction: Use 'buscar' (to look for) when the item is simply lost. Use 'rastrear' (to track/trace) when you are following a systematic trail or signal.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Technology
This verb is essential for modern Spanish, especially when dealing with online shopping, GPS, or security features. Always use it when referring to checking the status of a delivery.
When referring to origins or history, rastrear means to trace or investigate the source or cause.
rastrear(verb)
trace
?origins, history, cause
,investigate
?a problem or crime
scan
?a document or memory for information
📝 In Action
Es difícil rastrear el origen de estas costumbres tan antiguas.
B2It is difficult to trace the origin of these very old customs.
El historiador intentó rastrear las fuentes originales del manuscrito.
C1The historian tried to trace the original sources of the manuscript.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Rastrear' Figuratively
When used in this sense, 'rastrear' often means 'to go back and find the beginning of something,' similar to following an historical trail.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: rastrear
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'rastrear' in its modern, technological sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'rastrear' lo mismo que 'buscar'?
No exactamente. 'Buscar' just means 'to look for' something generally. 'Rastrear' implies you are following a specific trail, clue, or signal to locate the object—it's a much more systematic search.
How do I say 'tracking device'?
The most common term is 'un dispositivo de rastreo' or simply 'un rastreador'.