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Conjugation Chart of “Encontrar” (to find) in the Imperfect Tense

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Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Encontrar”

The Imperfect Tense of encontrar is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example: Cuando era niño, encontraba monedas en la calle. (When I was a child, I used to find coins on the street.)

Encontrar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the standard pattern for that verb type.

How to Use Encontrar in the Imperfect Tense

The imperfect tense of encontrar is used to describe ongoing, repeated, or habitual actions in the past.

Finding or encountering something/someone: For example, Cuando era niño, encontraba monedas en la calle. (When I was a child, I would find coins on the street.) This meaning can also imply accidentally coming across something, like Encontraba insectos en mi comida. (I would find insects in my food.)

Meeting someone: For example, Nos encontrábamos en el parque los domingos. (We would meet at the park on Sundays.) It can also mean running into someone, like Siempre me encontraba con mi ex en el supermercado. (I would always run into my ex at the supermarket.)

Being in a particular state or condition: For example, Me encontraba cansado después del trabajo. (I would find myself tired after work.) Or, La ciudad se encontraba en ruinas después del terremoto. (The city was in ruins after the earthquake.)

Locating or situating something: For example, Encontraba la llave debajo del tapete. (I would find the key under the mat.) Or, ¿Dónde encontrabas tus zapatos? (Where would you find your shoes?)

Considering or regarding something (colloquial): For example, Encontraba que su actitud era grosera. (I found/considered his attitude to be rude.) Or, No encontraba el chiste gracioso. (I didn’t find the joke funny.)

Real Life Examples of Encontrar in the Imperfect Tense

Cuando encontraba una moneda en la calle, siempre la recogía por suerte. (When I found a coin on the street, I always picked it up for luck.)

Mi abuela encontraba mucha paz cultivando su jardín. (My grandmother found a lot of peace tending her garden.)

El equipo de rescate encontraba dificultades para llegar a la zona afectada. (The rescue team was finding it difficult to reach the affected area.)

Nunca encontraba las llaves cuando tenía prisa por salir. (I could never find my keys when I was in a hurry to leave.)

Siempre encontrábamos algo nuevo que hacer en la ciudad. (We always found something new to do in the city.)

Ella encontraba inspiración en la naturaleza para sus pinturas. (She found inspiration in nature for her paintings.)

Los niños encontraban divertido jugar en el parque. (The children found it fun to play at the park.)

El chef encontraba nuevas formas de combinar ingredientes. (The chef found new ways to combine ingredients.)

Mis amigos encontraban difícil entender mi fascinación por los videojuegos. (My friends found it hard to understand my fascination with video games.)

Yo encontraba reconfortante escuchar música después de un día estresante. (I found it comforting to listen to music after a stressful day.)

La compañía encontraba desafiante mantenerse al día con la tecnología cambiante. (The company found it challenging to keep up with changing technology.)

Ellos encontraban emocionante viajar a nuevos lugares. (They found it exciting to travel to new places.)

Tú encontrabas gratificante ayudar a los demás. (You found it rewarding to help others.)

Nosotros encontrábamos frustrante lidiar con la burocracia. (We found it frustrating to deal with bureaucracy.)

Ella encontraba relajante practicar yoga por las mañanas. (She found it relaxing to practice yoga in the mornings.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Encontrar (to find) in the Imperfect Tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperfect tense is also known as the Past Imperfect, Descriptive Past, Past Progressive, or Imperfect Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Imperfecto, Copretérito, Imperfecto de Indicativo, or Pasado Descriptivo in Spanish.