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"Encontrarlo" is a form of "encontrar", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to find". "La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the". Learn more about the difference between "la" and "encontrarlo" below.
la(
lah
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
a. the
La pelota está en el tejado.The ball is on the roof.
La leche está en el refrigerador.The milk is in the refrigerator.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
encontrar(
ehn
-
kohn
-
trahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (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.
encontrarse
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.
5. (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.
