Busco un departamento que sea amplio y luminoso.

Questions & Answers about Busco un departamento que sea amplio y luminoso.

Why does this sentence use the subjunctive sea instead of the indicative es?
Because the speaker is looking for an apartment that fits this description, not a specific one they already know exists. When describing an unknown or indefinite thing (an apartment you haven't found yet), you use the subjunctive in the clause starting with que. If you were describing a specific apartment you already lived in, you would use the indicative and say que es.
Why isn't there a word for "for" after busco?
The verb buscar means "to look for" or "to search for." The "for" is already built into the verb! A very common mistake for English speakers is to say buscar por, but you should just put the thing you are looking for directly after the verb.
I've learned other words for "apartment." Is departamento widely used?
Yes, departamento is the most common word for "apartment" in several major Latin American countries, including Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Chile. You might also hear apartamento in places like Colombia or Central America, while piso is mostly used in Spain.
Why do we use a form of ser (sea) here instead of estar?
Being spacious (amplio) and bright (luminoso) are defining, permanent characteristics of the building's design. Because they describe what the apartment is rather than a temporary state it is in, we use ser rather than estar.

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