encontrarla
/en-kon-TRAR-la/
to find her
This illustrates the meaning of encontrarla as 'to find her.'
encontrarla(verb)
to find her
?referring to a person
,to find it
?referring to a feminine thing (e.g., the key, la llave)
to discover it
?referring to an abstract concept (e.g., the solution, la solución)
📝 In Action
Necesito la llave. ¿Puedes ayudarme a encontrarla?
A2I need the key. Can you help me to find it?
Estudió mucho para encontrarla, la respuesta correcta.
B1She studied a lot to find it, the correct answer.
💡 Grammar Points
Structure: Infinitive + Pronoun
The word 'encontrarla' is the base verb 'encontrar' with the direct object pronoun 'la' attached directly to the end. This is common when the verb is not conjugated (like after verbs such as 'querer' or 'poder').
What 'la' means
'La' means 'her' or 'it' when referring to a feminine noun (like 'la casa', 'la idea', or 'la mujer'). It tells you what received the action of finding.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Pronoun Placement Error
Mistake: "Quiero encontrar la."
Correction: Quiero encontrarla OR La quiero encontrar. When you have two verbs (e.g., 'quiero' and 'encontrar'), you can either attach the pronoun to the infinitive (encontrarla) or put it before the conjugated verb (la quiero encontrar).
⭐ Usage Tips
Stem Change Reminder
Remember that the base verb 'encontrar' changes the 'o' to 'ue' in most forms of the present tense (e.g., yo encuentro), but the infinitive 'encontrar' itself does not change.
This illustrates the meaning of encontrarla as 'to meet her' (by arrangement).
encontrarla(verb)
to meet her
?to arrange to meet a woman
,to run into her
?to encounter a woman by chance
📝 In Action
Ella dijo que quería encontrarla después del trabajo.
B1She said she wanted to meet her after work.
Fue una sorpresa encontrarla en el cine, no sabía que estaba en la ciudad.
B2It was a surprise to run into her at the cinema; I didn't know she was in the city.
💡 Grammar Points
Context is Key
When 'encontrar' is used with a person as the direct object ('la'), it usually means finding them unexpectedly or arranging a meeting, not necessarily finding a lost person (though it can mean that too, depending on context).
⭐ Usage Tips
Self-Encounter
If you want to say 'to find oneself' or 'to be located' (e.g., 'I am in the kitchen'), you must use the reflexive form: 'encontrarse' (Me encuentro en la cocina).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: encontrarla
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'encontrarla'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'la' is attached to the infinitive, where else can I put it?
When you have two verbs (like 'poder' + 'encontrar'), the pronoun 'la' can either be attached to the infinitive ('Quiero encontrarla') or placed immediately before the conjugated verb ('La quiero encontrar'). Both are correct ways to say 'I want to find it/her'.
How do I say 'to find him' instead of 'to find her'?
You would use the masculine direct object pronoun 'lo' instead of 'la', resulting in the word 'encontrarlo'.