Spanish Phrase
¿Qué buscas?
Meaning
Literally, “What are you looking for?” It can refer to a physical object someone is trying to find, a piece of information, or even a more abstract goal or desire.
When to use
Use this informal question when you notice someone searching—whether in a store, on the street, or in a conversation about plans. In formal contexts switch to the third‑person form *¿Qué está buscando?*.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Québuscas
Qué (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about something unknown; always carries an accent when it introduces a question.
buscas (2nd person singular present)
The verb *buscar* conjugated for 'tú' in the present indicative. It means 'you look for' or 'you are searching for'.
🗨In Conversation
¿Qué buscas?
What are you looking for?
Busco la sección de novelas, por favor.
I'm looking for the novels section, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Que buscas?
Missing the accent on *Qué*; without it the word is a conjunction, not an interrogative pronoun.
¿Qué buscás?
The *vos* form is regional (Argentina, Uruguay). For most learners, stick with *buscas* unless you’re targeting that dialect.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué estás buscando?
What are you looking for?
¿Qué necesitas?
What do you need?
¿Qué quieres encontrar?
What do you want to find?
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries *¿Qué buscas?* is perfectly natural among friends or peers. For a more polite or professional tone, use the third‑person form *¿Qué está buscando?* or add a courtesy word like *por favor* after the answer. Note that in Argentina the verb may appear as *buscás* (vos form), but the standard *buscas* is understood everywhere.