buscado
/busˈkado/
The Spanish word for 'wanted' is buscado.
buscado is used to describe someone or something that is being sought after, such as a person wanted by the police or a person in demand. It is not used to express affection or personal preference.
Meaning: desired (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
buscado is the past participle of the verb buscar (to look for), so it literally means 'searched for' or 'sought after'.
Which one should you use?
If you want to say that something is 'desired' or 'wanted' in the sense of affection or personal preference, use deseado instead of buscado.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or thing being sought. Use buscada for a feminine singular subject, buscados for a masculine plural subject and buscadas for a feminine plural subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/busˈkado/
Did you know?
- While buscado means 'wanted', a person who is highly 'wanted' or in demand for their professional skills is often called cotizado, which literally relates to being 'quoted' or 'valued'.
- The standard phrase used on 'wanted' posters for criminals is se busca, which uses a reflexive form to mean 'one seeks' or 'is being sought'.
- In a professional job listing, a 'wanted' skill is more likely to be called demandado or necesario to avoid the criminal connotations of buscado.
Examples in context
- Él es buscado por la Policía.He's wanted by the police.This sentence shows how to use buscado when someone is wanted by the police.Tatoeba #2311758 by marcelostockle, translation #295747 by CK
- El hombre es buscado por asesinato.The man is wanted for murder.This sentence shows how to use buscado when someone is wanted for a specific crime.Tatoeba #2739797 by teskmon, translation #45318 by CK
- Tom es buscado por el FBI por secuestro.Tom is wanted by the FBI for kidnapping.This sentence shows how to use buscado when someone is wanted by a specific organization.Tatoeba #1324743 by hayastan, translation #1024749 by CK
- El candidato ideal para el puesto debe tener experiencia laboral deseada por la empresa.The ideal candidate for the position must have work experience sought after by the company.
- Se necesitan urgentemente colaboradores con habilidades requeridas en el ámbito tecnológico.Collaborators with required skills in the technological field are urgently needed.
- Esa marca de ropa tiene el bolso más codiciado de la temporada.That clothing brand has the most coveted handbag of the season.
- Martina es pretendida por todos los chicos debido a su encanto y belleza.Martina is wanted by all the boys because of her charm and beauty.
- El premio es ansiado por los participantes y todos están expectantes.The prize is coveted by the participants, and everyone is expectant.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are talking about a rare collectible card.
- DanielTengo la carta que es muy buscada.I have the card that is highly wanted.
- Sofía¡No puede ser! Es muy difícil de hallar.No way! It is very hard to find.
- DanielSí, es el objeto más buscado del juego.Yes, it is the most wanted object in the game.
- SofíaMe gustaría verla, por favor, Daniel.I would like to see it, please, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry buscado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
