encontraste
/enkontɾaste/from spelling rules
encontraste is the Spanish way to say "you found".
What does it mean word for word?
The infinitive form of this verb is encontrar.
Which one should you use?
While encontraste refers specifically to "you" (informal), the form encontró is used to mean "he", "she" or "it" found.
How does it change in a sentence?
This is the second-person singular preterite form, used with the informal tú to mean "you found".
How do you pronounce it?
/enkontɾaste/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid adding an 's' to the end of the word (such as *encontrastes*). The correct form is encontraste.
Did you know?
- The root of encontraste is related to the English word 'counter', as both come from the Latin 'contra', meaning 'against' or 'opposite'.
- In Spanish, the expression encontrarse mal is the standard way to say you are feeling sick or unwell, rather than using the verb for 'feeling'.
- The word encuentro is the noun form of the same root and is used in sports to describe a 'match' or 'bout' between two opponents.
Examples in context
- ¿Hallaste la solución al problema?Did you find the solution to the problem?
- ¿Encontraste tus llaves?Did you find your keys?
- ¿Hallaste el libro que te presté?Did you find the book I lent you?
- ¿Ubicaste tu mochila?Did you find your backpack?
- ¿Encontraste las llaves de la casa?Did you find the house keys?
- No encontraste el camino correcto.You did not find the right way.
- Por fin encontraste tu libro favorito.You finally found your favorite book.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are looking for a lost wallet.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿encontraste mi cartera?Daniel, did you find my wallet?
- DanielNo, todavía no la veo.No, I still don't see it.
- LucíaEstá en la mesa del comedor.It is on the dining table.
- Daniel¡Ah, es verdad! Ya la encontré.Ah, that's true! I found it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
