descubrí
/des-koo-BREE/
I discovered
I discovered a massive fossil!
descubrí(verb)
I discovered
?finding something new or previously unknown
,I found out
?realizing a fact or secret
I realized
?coming to a sudden understanding
📝 In Action
Ayer, por fin, descubrí la verdad sobre el robo.
A2Yesterday, finally, I discovered the truth about the robbery.
Descubrí un café muy bueno cerca de mi oficina.
A1I discovered a very good cafe near my office.
Cuando viajé a Perú, descubrí que me encanta la comida andina.
B1When I traveled to Peru, I found out that I love Andean food.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the 'I' Simple Past
The accent mark on the 'í' is essential! It tells you this is the 'I' form and that the action was finished (completed) at a specific time in the past.
Past Participle Warning
While 'descubrir' is regular in its tenses, its past participle is irregular: use 'descubierto' (discovered), not 'descubrido'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Simple Past and Continuous Past
Mistake: "Usar 'yo descubría' cuando la acción fue puntual."
Correction: Use 'descubrí' (simple past) for a single, completed moment: 'Descubrí el error anoche.' Use 'descubría' (continuous past) for ongoing states or descriptions: 'En esa época, yo descubría cosas nuevas cada día.'
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Result
Use 'descubrí' when the focus is on the moment you successfully found the information or object. It emphasizes the result.
I uncovered the new sculpture before the ceremony.
descubrí(verb)
I uncovered
?removing a physical covering
,I revealed
?making something visible
I exposed
?leaving something open to view
📝 In Action
Descubrí el cuadro quitando la sábana que lo cubría.
B1I uncovered the painting by removing the sheet that covered it.
Al llegar, descubrí mi cabeza en señal de respeto.
B2Upon arrival, I uncovered my head (took off my hat) as a sign of respect.
💡 Grammar Points
Physical Action
In this sense, 'descubrí' refers to a definite physical action that was finished, like lifting a lid or taking off a hat.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: descubrí
Question 1 of 2
Which English sentence correctly translates the meaning of 'Descubrí que era alérgico al maní'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'descubrí' have an accent mark?
The accent mark on the 'i' is essential because it tells you two things: first, that the word is stressed on the last syllable, and second, that it is the 'yo' (I) form of the simple past tense, indicating a completed action.
What is the difference between 'descubrí' and 'encontré'?
Both mean 'I found.' 'Descubrí' is often used for finding something new, unexpected, or realizing a piece of information (like a secret or a new passion). 'Encontré' is more general and often means 'I located' something you were looking for.