Inklingo

encontrarnos

en-kon-TRAR-nos/eŋkonˈtɾaɾnos/

encontrarnos means to meet (each other) in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to meet (each other)

Also: to get together, to see each other
VerbA2irregular (stem-changing o>ue) ar
Two simple cartoon figures standing on a path, approaching each other and shaking hands in a friendly greeting.
infinitiveencontrarse
gerundencontrándose
past Participleencontrado

📝 In Action

Debemos encontrarnos en la estación de tren a las seis.

A2

We must meet at the train station at six.

Queremos encontrarnos para discutir el proyecto.

B1

We want to meet up to discuss the project.

¡Qué alegría encontrarnos de nuevo después de tanto tiempo!

B1

What a joy to meet again after so long!

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • quedar en encontrarnosto arrange to meet
  • proponer encontrarnosto suggest meeting

to find ourselves

Also: to be situated, to feel
VerbB1irregular (stem-changing o>ue) ar
A simplified lone figure standing in a lush green meadow, looking up at the sky with an expression of peaceful realization about their surroundings.

📝 In Action

Es fácil encontrarnos perdidos en esta gran ciudad.

B1

It is easy to find ourselves lost in this big city.

No esperábamos encontrarnos en una situación tan difícil.

B2

We didn't expect to find ourselves in such a difficult situation.

Es maravilloso encontrarnos tan cerca de la playa.

B2

It is wonderful to find ourselves so close to the beach (or: It is wonderful that we are so close to the beach).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hallarnos (to find ourselves (more formal))
  • sentirnos (to feel)

Common Collocations

  • encontrarnos en peligroto find ourselves in danger
  • encontrarnos cómodosto feel comfortable

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedencuentra
yoencuentro
encuentras
ellos/ellas/ustedesencuentran
nosotrosencontramos
vosotrosencontráis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedencontraba
yoencontraba
encontrabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesencontraban
nosotrosencontrábamos
vosotrosencontrabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedencontró
yoencontré
encontraste
ellos/ellas/ustedesencontraron
nosotrosencontramos
vosotrosencontrasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedencuentre
yoencuentre
encuentres
ellos/ellas/ustedesencuentren
nosotrosencontremos
vosotrosencontréis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedencontrara
yoencontrara
encontraras
ellos/ellas/ustedesencontraran
nosotrosencontráramos
vosotrosencontrarais

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "encontrarnos" in Spanish:

to feel

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: encontrarnos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'encontrarnos' in the sense of 'to find ourselves in a state'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
encontrar(to find (a thing))Verb
el encuentro(the meeting, the encounter)Noun
encontrado(found (past participle/adjective))Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
llevarnoshablarnos
📚 Etymology

Comes from the vulgar Latin *incontra* (meaning 'against' or 'opposite'), which combined with the verb *tropare* (to find). It literally means 'to come upon something opposite or facing you.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: rencontrerItalian: incontrare

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'encontrar' and 'encontrarnos'?

'Encontrar' (without the 'nos') means 'to find a thing or person.' 'Encontrarnos' (with the 'nos') means 'to find ourselves' or, much more commonly, 'to meet each other' (reciprocal action).

Why is the 'nos' attached to the end of the verb?

When the verb is in the infinitive form (the base form), the small pronoun that tells who is doing the action to whom ('nos' = us) is attached right to the end. This happens when the verb follows another conjugated verb (like 'queremos' or 'debemos').