Inklingo

encuentran

en-KWEHN-tranenˈkwen.tɾan

encuentran means they find in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

they find, you (plural, formal) find

Also: they discover, they encounter
VerbA1irregular (stem-changing o>ue) ar
Two children pointing down excitedly at a brightly colored toy they have just found hidden under a small green bush.
infinitiveencontrar
gerundencontrando
past Participleencontrado

📝 In Action

Mis padres siempre encuentran un buen restaurante.

A1

My parents always find a good restaurant.

¿Ustedes encuentran la solución al problema?

A2

Do you (formal plural) find the solution to the problem?

Los científicos encuentran evidencia de agua en el planeta.

B1

The scientists find evidence of water on the planet.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • encuentran trabajothey find work
  • encuentran la pazthey find peace

they meet up, they are located

Also: they feel
VerbA2irregular (stem-changing o>ue) ar
Two friends walking towards each other on a park path, smiling and waving, about to meet up.
infinitiveencontrarse
gerundencontrándose
past Participleencontrado

📝 In Action

Se encuentran en la estación de tren a las seis.

A2

They meet up at the train station at six.

Los documentos se encuentran en la caja fuerte.

B1

The documents are located in the safe.

Ellos se encuentran bien después del viaje.

B1

They feel well after the trip.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • se encuentran malthey feel bad/sick
  • se encuentran cómodosthey are comfortable

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoencontrara/encontrase
encontraras/encontrases
él/ella/ustedencontrara/encontrase
nosotrosencontráramos/encontrásemos
vosotrosencontrarais/encontraseis
ellos/ellas/ustedesencontraran/encontrasen

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "encuentran" in Spanish:

they discoverthey encounterthey feelthey findthey meet

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: encuentran

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'encuentran' in the sense of finding something, not locating themselves?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Late Latin verb *incontrāre*, formed by combining the prefix *in-* (meaning 'into' or 'in') with *contra* (meaning 'against' or 'opposite'). The original sense was literally 'to go against' or 'to run into' someone, which evolved into 'to meet' and later 'to find.'

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: incontrareFrench: rencontrer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'encuentran' and 'se encuentran'?

'Encuentran' means 'they find' (an object or solution). 'Se encuentran' means 'they find themselves,' which usually translates to 'they meet up,' 'they are located,' or 'they feel' (a certain way).

Why does the 'o' change to 'ue'?

This is a common feature of many Spanish verbs, called a stem change. It happens to make the verb easier to pronounce in the present tense forms, except for the 'we' and 'you all (Spain)' forms, where it stays 'encontramos' and 'encontráis'.