How to Say "sought" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “sought” is “buscado” — use 'buscado' when referring to the past participle of 'buscar' (to look for), often used in compound tenses like the present perfect..
English → Spanish
buscado
boo-SKAH-doh/busˈkaðo/
Verb (past participle)A1Formal
Use 'buscado' when referring to the past participle of 'buscar' (to look for), often used in compound tenses like the present perfect.
Examples
Hemos buscado las llaves por toda la casa.
We have looked for the keys throughout the whole house.
Ella había buscado una solución antes de rendirse.
She had searched for a solution before giving up.
Forming Perfect Tenses
This form ('buscado') is paired with the verb 'haber' (to have) to talk about actions completed in the past: 'He buscado' (I have searched).
Verb (preterite)A1Informal
Use 'buscó' for the third-person singular preterite (simple past) of 'buscar', indicating a completed action of searching for something or someone in the past.
Examples
Él buscó sus llaves por toda la casa.
He looked for his keys throughout the whole house.
Past Participle vs. Simple Past
Learners often confuse 'buscado' (past participle) with 'buscó' (simple past). Remember that 'buscado' is used with auxiliary verbs like 'haber' (e.g., 'he buscado'), while 'buscó' stands alone as a complete past action by a third person.
Related Translations
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