What are the differences between encontrar y encontrarse?

Question

Me parece lo mismo. Estoy confundida con los dos. Alguien puede ayudarme? Gracias.

Your questions are helpful. Thanks. - katydew, Nov 18, 2012

De nada.:) - zhmelissa, Nov 18, 2012

Answer 1

The pronoun "se" gives an orientation to the action "back to the subject", similar to the phrases "to itself" "to themselves" "to each other".

"Lo vieron en la calle" (they saw it on the street)

"Se vieron en la calle" (they saw each other on the street)

"Se vió en el espejo" (he saw himself in the mirror)

With "encontrar":

"encontrarse en esta situación no es bueno" (to find one self in this situation isn't good)

It would be better if you can give an example.

This really helps, comunacho. Thanks for your insigtful answer. - katydew, Nov 18, 2012

Answer 2

In some instances, it's just something you get used to, that gives words a different context. Ir = to go Irse = to leave

Why? quién sabe. It's just how it is really. Comunicar = to give information Comunicarse = to communicate

Encontrarse is more literal with English. "to find onself" in a certain situation or lo que sea. Recuerda que it's not math, and that you don't have to understand everything 100% especially at the beginning, but accept it, then you'll slowly build more info onto it that makes it more clear to you.

Hi Q4 and welcome the forum. Could you fill out your language fluency level. It really helps to know which language one is learning or is an expert in knowing. Glad you've jumped in to help. - katydew, Nov 18, 2012