encuentra
/en-KWEN-tra/
he/she/it finds
This illustration shows the action of locating an object: 'he/she finds' (encuentra).
encuentra(Verb)
he/she/it finds
?locating an object or person
,you (formal) find
?locating an object or person
he/she/it locates
?pinpointing a location
📝 In Action
Mi mamá nunca encuentra sus gafas.
A1My mom never finds her glasses.
El perro encuentra su hueso en el jardín.
A2The dog finds its bone in the garden.
Usted encuentra la oficina en el tercer piso.
A2You (formal) find the office on the third floor.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Boot' Verb Transformation
The verb encontrar is a 'stem-changing' verb. Notice how the 'o' changes to 'ue' in most present tense forms (like encuentra), but not for 'nosotros' or 'vosotros'. We call these 'boot verbs' because the forms that change make a boot shape in the conjugation chart!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'ue'
Mistake: "Él *encontra* las llaves."
Correction: Él *encuentra* las llaves. Remember that 'o' changes to 'ue' for he/she/you.
⭐ Usage Tips
Finding People vs. Things
You can use 'encuentra' for both objects and people. When you find a person, you often need to add a small word 'a' right after the verb: 'Ella encuentra a su hermano'.
When 'encuentra' means 'he/she meets', it describes the action of two people coming together.
encuentra(Verb)
he/she/it meets
?meeting someone, either by chance or planned
,you (formal) meet
?meeting someone, either by chance or planned
he/she encounters
?running into someone unexpectedly
,he/she comes across
?discovering something by chance
📝 In Action
Cada martes, él encuentra a sus amigos para almorzar.
A2Every Tuesday, he meets his friends for lunch.
Ella siempre encuentra tráfico en la mañana.
B1She always encounters traffic in the morning.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a' for People
When what you 'meet' or 'find' is a person, Spanish adds the little word 'a' before their name or title. Think of it as a way of showing respect! For example, 'Él encuentra a su amigo'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
`Encontrar` vs. `Conocer`
Mistake: "'Ayer, encuentra a Juan por primera vez.' (Trying to say 'Yesterday, he meets Juan for the first time.')"
Correction: 'Ayer, conoció a Juan por primera vez.' Use 'conocer' for meeting someone for the very first time. Use 'encontrar' for meeting up with someone you already know.
Here, 'encuentra' is used to express an opinion, meaning 'he/she finds (it to be...)' something, like boring or excellent.
encuentra(Verb)
he/she/it finds (it to be...)
?expressing an opinion
,you (formal) find (it to be...)
?expressing an opinion
he/she thinks
?sharing a viewpoint
,he/she considers
?making a judgment
📝 In Action
Ella encuentra la película muy aburrida.
B1She finds the movie very boring.
Mi jefe encuentra tu idea excelente.
B1My boss finds your idea excellent.
¿Usted no encuentra extraño que la tienda esté cerrada?
B2Don't you (formal) find it strange that the store is closed?
⭐ Usage Tips
A Synonym for 'Think'
This is a great, natural-sounding alternative to always saying 'pienso que' (I think that). When you want to say how something seems to you, try using 'encuentro'. For example, 'Encuentro la clase interesante' (I find the class interesting).
As a command form, 'encuentra' means 'find!' (informal 'tú' command).
encuentra(Verb (Command Form))
find!
?giving an informal command to one person ('tú')
📝 In Action
¡Rápido, encuentra la salida!
A2Quick, find the exit!
Encuentra el error en esta frase.
B1Find the mistake in this sentence.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Tú' Command
'Encuentra' is not just 'he/she finds'—it's also how you tell a friend ('tú') to 'find!' something. It happens to be the same as the he/she form for many verbs.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Formal vs. Informal Command
Mistake: "Señor, ¡encuentra la puerta! (Using the informal command with a formal title)"
Correction: Señor, ¡encuentre la puerta! When speaking to someone formally ('usted'), the command form changes to 'encuentre'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: encuentra
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'encuentra' to mean 'thinks' or 'considers'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'encuentra' and 'se encuentra'?
Great question! 'Encuentra' means 'he/she finds' something else ('Él encuentra el libro'). When you add 'se' to make 'se encuentra', the meaning changes. It can mean 'is located' ('La biblioteca se encuentra en el centro') or 'feels' ('Ella se encuentra feliz hoy'). The 'se' turns the action back on the subject.
Is 'encuentra' formal or informal?
It can be both! As 'he/she finds', it's neutral. As 'you find' ('usted encuentra'), it's formal. And as the command 'find!' ('tú encuentra'), it's informal. The context and who you're talking to are key!