What does encontrar mean?
encontrar means to meet in English. It is a irregular -ar verb.
It can also be used with these related meanings: to find, encounter, come across; to meet, bump into.
Spanish verb guide
Encontrar Conjugation in Spanish
Learn encontrar, meaning to meet, through verified forms and contextual examples.
irregular-argerund: encontrandoparticiple: encontrado
Principal forms of encontrar
- Infinitive
- encontrar
- Gerund
- encontrando
- Past participle
- encontrado
Encontrar conjugation table
Compare the present, preterite, imperfect, and future forms. Reflexive pronouns are included where the verb requires them.
| Pronoun | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | encuentro | encontré | encontraba | encontraré |
| tú | encuentras | encontraste | encontrabas | encontrarás |
| él / ella / usted | encuentra | encontró | encontraba | encontrará |
| nosotros/as | encontramos | encontramos | encontrábamos | encontraremos |
| ellos/as / ustedes | encuentran | encontraron | encontraban | encontrarán |
Pattern notes
- Its forms differ from a fully regular -ar pattern in the present.
Examples with encontrar
Lo encontré en el ático.I found it in the attic.Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Lo encontré en la calle.I found it on the street.Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Él encontró a sus padres.He found his parents.Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Practice prompts
- Conjugate encontrar for yo in the present.
- Use the preterite form for ella.
- Say the nosotros/as imperfect form.
- Write a short sentence in the future.
Practice encontrar online
Use VerbyGo for a quick conjugation round with instant feedback and accent checking.