encontrarnos
/en-kon-TRAR-nos/
to meet (each other)
When two friends arrange to meet (each other), they use "encontrarnos".
encontrarnos(Verb)
to meet (each other)
?reciprocal action
to get together
?social arrangement
,to see each other
?future arrangement
📝 In Action
Debemos encontrarnos en la estación de tren a las seis.
A2We must meet at the train station at six.
Queremos encontrarnos para discutir el proyecto.
B1We want to meet up to discuss the project.
¡Qué alegría encontrarnos de nuevo después de tanto tiempo!
B1What a joy to meet again after so long!
💡 Grammar Points
Reciprocal Action
When 'encontrarnos' is used to mean 'to meet,' it shows that 'we' are doing the action to 'us' (we meet each other). This is called a reciprocal action.
Placement Rule
'Encontrarnos' is the infinitive form with the pronoun 'nos' attached. This compound form is used when following a conjugated verb (e.g., podemos) or a preposition (e.g., antes de).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'nos'
Mistake: "Vamos a encontrar en el café."
Correction: Vamos a encontrarnos en el café. (If you use 'encontrar' without 'nos,' it means 'to find a thing,' not 'to meet a person.')
⭐ Usage Tips
Simple Invitation
A simple way to suggest meeting is using the conjugated verb 'quedar': Quedamos para encontrarnos mañana. (We'll arrange to meet tomorrow.)
We can use "encontrarnos" to describe how we find ourselves in a new state or location.
encontrarnos(Verb)
to find ourselves
?to realize one's current location or state
to be situated
?describing location
,to feel
?describing emotional or physical state
📝 In Action
Es fácil encontrarnos perdidos en esta gran ciudad.
B1It is easy to find ourselves lost in this big city.
No esperábamos encontrarnos en una situación tan difícil.
B2We didn't expect to find ourselves in such a difficult situation.
Es maravilloso encontrarnos tan cerca de la playa.
B2It is wonderful to find ourselves so close to the beach (or: It is wonderful that we are so close to the beach).
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive State
In this sense, 'encontrarnos' acts like the verb 'estar' (to be), but emphasizes the state or location we have ended up in or discovered ourselves to be in.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'encontrar' and 'encontrarse'
Mistake: "Tenemos que encontrar en una situación difícil."
Correction: Tenemos que encontrarnos en una situación difícil. (The reflexive 'nos' is essential when describing a state or condition of 'us'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using Adjectives
This meaning is almost always followed by an adjective or a prepositional phrase describing the state (e.g., cansados, en la montaña).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ 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
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').