How to Say "searching for" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “searching for” is “buscando” — use 'buscando' when you are generally looking for something or someone, like lost items or information..
buscando
/boos-KAHN-doh//busˈkando/
Examples
Estoy buscando mis llaves.
I am looking for my keys.
¿Qué estás buscando?
What are you looking for?
Pasé la tarde buscando información en la biblioteca.
I spent the afternoon searching for information in the library.
The Spanish '-ing' Form
buscando is the Spanish equivalent of adding '-ing' to 'look for'. It's a special form called a gerund (gerundio) that describes an action in progress. You'll almost always see it paired with a form of the verb estar (to be).
It Never Changes
One great thing about buscando is that it always stays the same, no matter who is doing the action. It's buscando for 'I', 'you', 'he', 'she', or 'they'. The verb estar is the one that changes: Estoy buscando, Estás buscando, Están buscando.
Adding an Unnecessary 'for'
Mistake: “Estoy buscando por mis llaves.”
Correction: Just say `Estoy buscando mis llaves.` In Spanish, the verb `buscar` already includes the idea of 'for,' so you don't need to add another word like `por`.
cazando
/ka-SAHN-doh//kaˈsando/
Examples
El águila está cazando un ratón.
The eagle is hunting a mouse.
Llevo toda la mañana cazando ofertas en internet.
I've been hunting for deals on the internet all morning.
¡Presta atención! Estás cazando moscas.
Pay attention! You're daydreaming.
The '-ing' Form
Cazando is a gerund, which is the Spanish equivalent of English words ending in '-ing.' You use it with the verb 'estar' to describe actions happening right now.
Don't use it as a title
Mistake: “Using 'Cazando es difícil' for 'Hunting is difficult.'”
Correction: Say 'Cazar es difícil.' In Spanish, we use the base form (infinitive) when the action is the subject of the sentence.
Don't hunt for everyday items!
Related Translations
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