Inklingo

How to Say "encounter" in Spanish

English → Spanish

encuentro

/en-KWEN-tro//enˈkwentɾo/

nounA2
Use this for a planned or unplanned meeting, often with a specific purpose or person.
Two friendly people smiling and shaking hands warmly in a bright green park, symbolizing a planned meeting or get-together.

Examples

Tengo un encuentro con mi jefe a las diez.

I have a meeting with my boss at ten.

Fue un encuentro casual en el supermercado.

It was a chance encounter at the supermarket.

El encuentro de fútbol fue muy emocionante.

The soccer match was very exciting.

encuentre

en-KWEN-treh/enˈkwen.tɾe/

verbB1
This is the subjunctive form of 'encontrar' and is used when talking about needing or wanting to meet someone or something unexpectedly, or in hypothetical situations.
Two friendly cartoon figures happily greeting each other with waves in a sunny park path, illustrating a planned meeting.

Examples

Necesito que nos encontremos en la estación.

I need us to meet at the station.

Ojalá que se encuentre bien después del viaje.

Hopefully, he/she is well after the trip. (Uses the reflexive 'encontrarse' to mean 'to be located' or 'to feel'.)

No importa dónde se encuentre la oficina, iré.

It doesn't matter where the office is located, I will go.

The Reflexive Meaning

When used with 'se' ('se encuentre'), it often means 'to be located' or 'to feel/be found' in a certain state. Example: 'Espero que se encuentre bien' (I hope he is feeling well).

Confusing Subjunctive and Command

Mistake: “Si usted encuentre la puerta, entre. (Mixing command and conditional structure.)”

Correction: Si usted encuentra la puerta, entre. (When using 'si' (if), you usually need the regular verb form 'encuentra', unless you are giving a direct, polite command: 'Encuentre la puerta y entre' (Find the door and enter).)

lance

/lan-se//ˈlanθe/ (Spain) /'lanse/ (Latam)

nounB1informal
Use this for a more forceful or tense encounter, such as a confrontation or a significant incident.
A colorful stack of wooden blocks has just toppled over on a simple wooden floor, scattering them across the ground.

Examples

Tuvimos un lance muy tenso con la policía en la frontera.

We had a very tense incident with the police at the border.

El joven tuvo un lance amoroso con la hija del jefe.

The young man had a romantic affair with the boss's daughter.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'lanza' (spear) is feminine, 'lance' is always masculine ('el lance'). Remember the 'E' ending doesn't always indicate gender.

Noun vs. Verb for 'Meeting'

Learners often confuse 'encuentro' (noun) with 'encuentre' (verb). Remember that 'encuentro' is the word for the meeting itself, while 'encuentre' is a verb form used in specific grammatical structures like the subjunctive, often expressing a desire or need for a meeting to happen.

Related Translations

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