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"Encontrarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to be", and "reunirse" is a reciprocal verb which is often translated as "to meet". Learn more about the difference between "encontrarse" and "reunirse" below.
encontrarse(
ehng
-
kohn
-
trahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be
La playa se encuentra al otro lado de la calle.The beach is on the opposite side of the street.
2. (to sense)
a. to run into
¿Has visto a tu ex recientemente? - Sí. Nos encontramos en el metro hace unas semanas.Have you seen your ex recently? - Yes. We ran into each other on the metro a couple of weeks ago.
b. to run across
Ayer me encontré con Francisca. No sabía que estaba embarazada.I ran across Francisca yesterday. I didn't know she was pregnant.
c. to bump into
La semana pasada me encontré con tu hermano. Se ve más sano.I bumped into your brother last week. He looks healthier.
encontrar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
7. (to uncover)
a. to discover
Ellos encontraron una caja vieja en el bosque.They discovered an old box in the forest.
b. to encounter
Encontramos una bifurcación en el sendero y no sabíamos qué dirección tomar.We encountered a fork in the road and didn't know which path to take.
a. to find
¿No te gusta ir al teatro? - No, lo encuentro muy aburrido.Don't you like to go to the theater? - No, I find it very boring.
reunirse(
rreyoo
-
neer
-
seh
)A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to meet
Mi hermano y yo vamos a reunirnos en el café al mediodía.My brother and I are going to meet at the café at noon.
reunir
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to gather
Mi papá nos reunió alrededor de la fogata para relatarnos cuentos.Dad gathered us around the campfire to tell us stories.
Quiero reunir a toda la familia para celebrar Navidad juntos.I want to gather the whole family to celebrate Christmas together.
b. to bring together
La boda reunió a sus dos familias por primera vez.The wedding brought together their two families for the first time.
a. to collect
A él le gusta reunir conchas marinas y meterlas en un frasco.He likes to collect seashells and put them in a jar.
4. (to satisfy)
a. to meet
Sus calificaciones no reúnen los requisitos mínimos para entrar al programa.His grades do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the program.
b. to fulfill
Los solicitantes de la beca deben reunir las condiciones especificadas.Applicants for the grant must fulfill the specified conditions.
