encuentra

Encuentra is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb encontrar, meaning to find, to encounter, or to locate. It is used for he finds or she finds, as well as for you formal (usted) find. It can also function as the affirmative tú imperative meaning “find,” used to give a direct command.

Etymology and related forms: Encontrar derives from medieval Romance and ultimately from Latin sources such as incontrare, meaning to meet by chance. The prefix en- and the root related to encountering contributed to the modern sense of coming upon something unexpectedly or locating it. Related forms include encuentro (noun, “meeting” or “encounter”), encuentra (present subjunctive form for usted/él/ella), and encuentras (tú form in the present indicative).

Usage: Encuentra is a highly common verb in everyday Spanish. It requires a direct object, typically a thing or person: Ella encuentra sus llaves (She finds her keys). It can also be used metaphorically, as in encontrar una solución (to find a solution) or encontrar tiempo (to find time). The form also appears in polite or formal address as usted encuentra, and in informal commands as ¡encuentra! to tell someone to locate or discover something.

See also: Encontrar; Encuentro; Encuentros; related expressions such as encontrar una oportunidad or encontrar tiempo. The term is primarily a grammatical form within the verb’s conjugation and not generally used as a standalone noun.