Inklingo

How to Say "we found" in Spanish

English → Spanish

encontramos

/en-kon-TRA-mos//enkoŋˈtɾamos/

verbA2general
Use 'encontramos' for a general, completed action of locating something or someone, often a discovery that happened in the past.
Two adult friends, one holding groceries and the other holding a book, smiling brightly as they unexpectedly meet face-to-face on a sidewalk.

Examples

Ayer encontramos un restaurante italiano muy bueno.

Yesterday we found a very good Italian restaurant.

La semana pasada, nos encontramos en la fiesta de Ana.

Last week, we met at Ana's party.

Después de mucho buscar, por fin encontramos la salida.

After searching a lot, we finally found the exit.

Context is Everything

To signal you mean 'we found' (past), use time words like 'ayer' (yesterday), 'anoche' (last night), or 'la semana pasada' (last week). Without them, people might think you mean the present.

Using 'encontremos'

Mistake: “Ayer nos encontremos en el cine.”

Correction: Ayer nos encontramos en el cine. 'Encontremos' is a special form used for wishes or commands, like 'Let's meet!' ('¡Encontrémonos!').

hallamos

/ah-YAH-mohs//aˈʝamos/

verbB1formal
Use 'hallamos' when the act of finding implies a more formal or intellectual search, or when the result is a solution or an answer to a problem.
Two people together discovering a shiny gold key on the ground.

Examples

Hoy no hallamos ninguna solución al problema.

Today we don't find any solution to the problem.

Ayer hallamos las llaves debajo del sofá.

Yesterday we found the keys under the sofa.

Tras mucho buscar, hallamos la verdad.

After much searching, we discovered the truth.

Double Time Duty

In Spanish, the 'we' form for verbs ending in -ar is exactly the same for the present ('we find') and the completed past ('we found'). You have to look at the other words in the sentence, like 'yesterday' or 'now,' to know which one is being used.

Confusing Hallar and Encontrar

Mistake: “Using 'hallar' for meeting friends.”

Correction: Use 'encontrar' for meeting people by chance. 'Hallar' is usually for finding objects, facts, or solutions.

Choosing Between 'Encontrar' and 'Hallar'

Learners often overuse 'hallamos' in everyday situations where 'encontramos' is more natural. Reserve 'hallamos' for situations where you've actively searched for a solution or a more elusive item, rather than a simple discovery.

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