German word

finden

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfɪndn̩/

Meaning

  • verbfind

Example

Ich finde meinen Schlüssel nicht.

I can't find my key.

Illustration for finden (find)

More examples

Im Internet finde ich das Rezept.

I find the recipe on the Internet.

Core concept

A search ends when something comes into view, and the same moment can yield a settled view about it.

Common phrases

  • den Schlüssel finden

    find the key

  • im Internet finden

    find on the Internet

  • auf Anhieb finden

    find right away

Similar words

suchen: To search the surroundings for a particular person or thing.
entdecken: To uncover something hidden or learn a new fact.
herausfinden: To work out a secret or answer by looking into it.

Definition in German

Ein transitives Verb, primär ‚etwas entdecken oder (wieder)finden‘ bedeutend, sekundär ‚eine persönliche Meinung haben‘ ausdrückend; es verlangt meist Akkusativ.

Word origin

Inherited from Old High German findan, German finden is cognate with English find and preserves the Germanic sense of coming upon something.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English find, finden commonly introduces an evaluation with an adjective or noun phrase, as in 'Ich finde den Film spannend'.

Other meanings

  • thinkverb
  • discoververb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Finderfindernoun
  • der Fundfindnoun

Word lists with this word