3 Conversational Ways to Use the Verb Trovare

While the verb “trovare” is often taught as “to find,” don’t let that one-shade definition fool you. Just like in English, the verbs in Italian do more than one job. (Aren’t we so lucky?)

I’ve talked before about how many nuances verbs like “perdere – to lose,” “mancare – to miss,” and “fare – to do / to make” have. Now I want to tackle “trovare,” because I think it adds a more conversational tone when you can use it just like Italians do.

So, here are 3 ways to use “trovare” in Italian.

How to Use “Trovare” in Italian

1) Come hai trovato Bologna? – What’d you think of Bologna?

And if I were being asked that question, I would answer: L’ho trovata bellissima! – I thought it was beautiful.

CPF: “Trovato” ends in an -a, instead of an -o, because all cities are considered feminine in Italian. Take that, patriarchy.

Other examples:

— Come trovi il corso d’italiano? – What do you think of your Italian course?

— Lo trovo molto molto moltooooo difficile… però mi piace. – I’m finding it really really reallyyyyy difficult… but I like it.

— Trovo che Maria sia una persona davvero educata. – I think Maria is really a good-mannered person.

 

2) Fatti trovare pronto. – Make sure you’re ready (to go).

Here I’m using the phrase “farsi trovare,” which can be defined here as a more demanding version of “to be.”

Other examples:

— Fatti trovare là alle sette. – Be there at 7.

— Giulia e la sua amica si faranno trovare pronte per le sette. – Giulia and her friend will be ready at 7 pm.

— Puoi darmi dei consigli per farmi trovare più facilmente sui social network? – Can you give me some advice to make people search more easily for my page on social networks?

— Ti farò trovare una cenetta deliziosa al tuo rientro! – I’m going to prepare for you a delicious dinner by the time you’ll be home.

 

3) Vado a trovare mio nonno. – I’m going to visit my grandfather.

In this situation, “trovare” is meant as “to visit.” Unlike in English, Italians wouldn’t use the verb “visitare – to visit” to talk about people. They only use it when talking about places, like “Ho visitato il duomo a Firenze! – I visited the Duomo in Florence!”

If you want to learn how to conjugate “trovare,” click here >> About.com – How to Conjugate the Verb “Trovare”

Have questions about these usages? Leave a comment below.