Encontrar means “to find” or “to come across” something or someone. It’s a direct action you do to locate or discover something. For example, Encontré las llaves means “I found the keys.”
Encontrarse is a reflexive verb with several meanings depending on context:
- To meet (by arrangement or chance), e.g., Nos encontramos en el café (“We meet at the café”).
- To be located or “to find oneself” in a place, e.g., El hotel se encuentra en el centro (“The hotel is located downtown”).
- To feel a certain way (usually about health or mood), e.g., Me encuentro cansado (“I feel tired”).
Key Takeaway
- Use encontrar when you are actively finding something.
- Use encontrarse for meeting people, describing location, or expressing how you feel.
Usage Summary
| Pronoun | Encontrar (to find) | Encontrarse (to meet) | Encontrarse (to be located) | Encontrarse (to feel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yo / Me | Encontré el libro. (I found the book.) | — | — | Me encuentro cansado. (I feel tired.) |
| Tú / Te | ¿Encontraste las llaves? (Did you find the keys?) | — | — | ¿Te encuentras bien? (Do you feel well?) |
| Él/Ella | Encontró el regalo. (She found the gift.) | Se encontró con un amigo. (She met a friend.) | El museo se encuentra cerrado. (The museum is located closed.) | — |
| Nosotros / Nos | — | Nos encontramos en la plaza. (We meet in the square.) | — | — |
Summary: encontrar is about finding, encontrarse can mean meeting, locating oneself, or feeling a certain way.
Do you feel well?
¿Te encuentras bien?
"¿Te encuentras bien?" is a polite way to ask "Do you feel well?" The reflexive pronoun "te" is required.
How is encontrarse used to describe location?
The reflexive form se encuentra is used, often with the preposition en, e.g., El hotel se encuentra en el centro.
Se encuentra + en means “is located in.” It is more formal than just saying està.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
