encuentres
/en-KWEN-tres/
you find
As a subjunctive verb, 'encuentres' means 'you find,' often used after verbs of wishing or doubting, as in 'I hope that you find the solution.'
encuentres(verb)
you find
?present subjunctive form, used after verbs of wishing or doubting
,you locate
?when searching for something physical or abstract
you meet
?to encounter someone
📝 In Action
Espero que encuentres el libro que buscas.
A2I hope you find the book you are looking for.
Te recomiendo que no te encuentres con él esta noche.
B1I recommend that you don't meet up with him tonight. (Negative imperative/subjunctive)
Dudo que encuentres un precio mejor en otra tienda.
B2I doubt that you will find a better price at another store.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'O to UE' Change
The base verb 'encontrar' is irregular. When the stress falls on the root (like in 'encuentres'), the 'o' changes to 'ue'. This happens in most forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' in the present tenses.
Subjunctive Mood Explained
'Encuentres' is the special verb form (subjunctive) used when the sentence expresses wishes, emotions, doubts, or non-certainty, usually after the word 'que' (that).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Using 'espero que encontras' (using the indicative form 'encuentras' or forgetting the stem change)."
Correction: The correct form is 'espero que encuentres.' Remember the 'o' becomes 'ue' and the ending changes for the subjunctive.
⭐ Usage Tips
Wishes and Hopes
If you are telling someone what you hope for them, you must use 'encuentres': 'Ojalá encuentres lo que buscas' (Hopefully you find what you look for).
Used reflexively (te encuentres), the word means 'you are,' referring to your state of being or health, as in 'I hope that you are well.'
encuentres(verb)
you are
?used reflexively (te encuentres) to refer to health or location
,you feel
?used reflexively (te encuentres) to describe a state or feeling
📝 In Action
Me alegra que te encuentres mejor hoy.
B1I am glad that you are feeling better today. (Used reflexively: te encuentres)
¿Dónde quieres que nos encontremos (nosotros)?
B1Where do you want us to meet? (Related meaning, plural form)
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive 'Te'
When 'encuentres' means 'you are/you feel,' it must be paired with the pronoun 'te' (te encuentres), because the action is reflecting back onto the subject.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking About Health
A very common formal way to ask how someone is doing is: '¿Cómo se encuentra usted?' (How do you find yourself?). The informal version using 'encuentres' would be 'Espero que te encuentres bien.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: encuentres
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'encuentres'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'encuentres' have an 'e' but the indicative form is 'encuentras'?
This is a key difference between the two main verb moods. 'Encuentras' uses an '-as' ending because it is the 'tú' form of the Indicative (used for facts). 'Encuentres' uses an '-es' ending because it is the 'tú' form of the Subjunctive (used for uncertainty, wishes, and emotions). The base verb is an '-ar' verb, so the subjunctive endings swap the 'a' for an 'e'.