Finding or encountering something
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
encounter
encounter
+
-ar
verb suffix
Encontrar means to find and is related to the English word encounter0, which means to come upon or find something.
encontrar
to find, to discover
When you encounter something you've been searching for, you find it.
Por fin encontré mis llavesI finally found my keys
Los arqueólogos encontraron una cueva llena de pinturas antiguasThe archaeologists discovered a cave full of ancient paintings
to encounter, to come across, to bump into
When you encounter something unexpectedly, you come across it.
Encontré a María en el supermercadoI bumped into María at the supermarket
Encontré una foto vieja de mis abuelos en un cajónI came across an old photo of my grandparents in a drawer
to find (opinion)
When you find something to be a certain way, you're expressing an opinion about it.
Encuentro esta película muy aburridaI find this movie very boring
Encontré el examen más fácil de lo que esperabaI found the exam easier than I expected
encontrarse
to be located (physical location)
When something "finds itself" in a particular place, it's located there.
El museo se encuentra en el centro de la ciudadThe museum is located in the city center
El hotel se encuentra a dos cuadras de la playaThe hotel is located two blocks from the beach
to feel, to find oneself
When something "finds itself" in a particular state, it's in that state.
Me encuentro un poco cansado hoyI feel a bit tired today
De repente se encontró solo en medio del bosqueSuddenly he found himself alone in the middle of the forest
to meet, to meet up
Two people plan to encounter each other at a set time and place.
Nos encontramos a las tres en la cafeteríaWe're meeting at three at the café
¿Dónde nos encontramos después del trabajo?Where should we meet up after work?
to run into each other
Two people encounter each other without planning to.
Nos encontramos por casualidad en el aeropuertoWe ran into each other by chance at the airport
Si nos encontramos en la fiesta, te presento a mi hermanaIf we run into each other at the party, I'll introduce you to my sister
encontrarse con
to run into, to encounter
When you "find yourself with" someone or something, it conveys an unplanned or unexpected meeting.
Me encontré con un problema inesperadoI ran into an unexpected problem
Me encontré con Juan en la estación de trenI ran into Juan at the train station