Inklingo

How to Say "to discover" in Spanish

English → Spanish

descubrir

dess-koo-BREER/deskuˈβɾiɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'descubrir' when you are finding something for the first time, especially something new, unknown, or surprising, like a new place or a new fact.
A child smiling after finding a glowing treasure chest partially buried on a beach.

Examples

Descubrimos un secreto familiar importante.

We discovered an important family secret.

Descubrimos un restaurante increíble en el centro.

We discovered an incredible restaurant downtown.

¿Cuándo descubriste que te gustaba la música clásica?

When did you find out that you liked classical music?

Ella descubrió la verdad sobre el robo.

She discovered (found out) the truth about the robbery.

The Irregular Past Participle

Unlike most -ir verbs, the past participle of 'descubrir' is irregular: 'descubierto' (discovered). You use this form to create perfect tenses (e.g., 'he descubierto' - I have discovered).

Using the Regular Participle

Mistake: “Hemos descubrido un problema.”

Correction: Hemos descubierto un problema. (Always use 'descubierto' for the past participle, never 'descubrido'.)

encontrar

/en-kon-trar//eŋkonˈtɾaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'encontrar' when you are looking for something and then locate it, or when you happen upon something unexpectedly, like misplacing and then finding an object.
A child happily holding a small golden key they discovered in the grass.

Examples

Por fin encontré las llaves que había perdido.

I finally found the keys I had lost.

No encuentro mis llaves.

I can't find my keys.

Finalmente encontré un buen apartamento.

I finally found a good apartment.

Espero que encuentres lo que buscas.

I hope you find what you are looking for.

The Boomerang 'O'

The 'o' in this word turns into 'ue' when you stress it (encuentro), but stays an 'o' in the 'we' and 'you all' forms (encontramos).

Finding People

When you find a person, you must add the 'personal a' after the verb: 'Encontré a mi amigo' (I found my friend).

Finding vs. Finding Out

Mistake: “Using 'encontrar' to say 'I found out the news'.”

Correction: Use 'enterarse' for learning information. 'Encontrar' is for physical things or people you were looking for.

Descubrir vs. Encontrar: The Core Difference

Learners often confuse 'descubrir' and 'encontrar' because both involve finding. Remember that 'descubrir' is about uncovering something new or unknown, like a hidden talent or a new theory. 'Encontrar' is typically about locating something that was lost or was already there, like your phone or a specific book.

Related Translations

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