encontraron
/en-kon-TRA-ron/
they found
Depicting the action of finding a lost object or solution.
encontraron(verb)
they found
?past completed action, referring to a thing or solution
,you all found
?past completed action, used in formal contexts or Latin America (ustedes)
they located
?specifically pinpointing a location in the past
📝 In Action
Ellos encontraron un mapa antiguo en el sótano.
A1They found an old map in the basement.
Las detectives encontraron la evidencia clave anoche.
A2The detectives found the key evidence last night.
¿Encontraron una solución al problema de tráfico?
B1Did you all find a solution to the traffic problem?
💡 Grammar Points
A Specific Past Action
"Encontraron" uses the simple past (preterite) form. This tells us the action (finding) began and finished quickly in the past, like a single event.
The 'They' Form
This ending, '-aron', is the standard way to say 'they' or 'you all' did a completed action in the past for any verb that ends in '-ar'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Usando "encontraban" para un evento puntual."
Correction: Use "encontraron" for a specific, completed finding (They found it at 5 PM). Use "encontraban" only if they were routinely finding it or the finding was interrupted (They were finding things when...).
⭐ Usage Tips
No Stem Change in Preterite
Unlike the present tense (encuentro), the verb "encontrar" keeps the 'o' and does NOT change to 'ue' in the simple past forms like "encontraron." That makes the past tense easier!
Illustrating the chance meeting or encounter between two people.
encontraron(verb)
they met (by chance)
?past completed action of encountering a person
,you all encountered
?past completed action, used in formal contexts or Latin America (ustedes)
they ran into
?informal translation for an unexpected encounter
📝 In Action
Ellos encontraron a sus viejos vecinos en la feria del pueblo.
B1They ran into their old neighbors at the town fair.
Ustedes no encontraron mucha resistencia en la negociación.
B2You all did not encounter much resistance in the negotiation.
Los turistas se encontraron con un desfile inesperado.
B2The tourists encountered an unexpected parade. (Note: The tourists themselves did the finding/meeting, not used reflexively here.)
💡 Grammar Points
Meeting People (Versus Conocer)
Use 'encontrar' (preterite: 'encontraron') when the meeting was sudden or unexpected. If they were meeting someone for the first time, use 'conocieron' (they met/got to know).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: encontraron
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses "encontraron" to mean 'they met someone unexpectedly'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'encontraron' the simple past or the continuous past?
'Encontraron' is the simple past (preterite). It describes an action that was finished at a specific point in the past: 'They found it (and that's the end of the action).'
How is 'encontraron' different from 'encuentran'?
'Encontraron' is the past ('they found/met'). 'Encuentran' is the present tense ('they find/meet') and involves the verb's internal vowel change (e→ie).