trouver
/tʁu.ve/
Definition
To find something or someone; also used to express an opinion, as in "to think" or "to consider."
Example
Elle a trouvé ses clés sous le canapé.
Show translation
She found her keys under the sofa.
Etymology
From Old French *trover*, from Late Latin *tropāre* ("to compose, to invent"), related to the Provençal concept of a *troubadour* — a poet who "finds" or invents songs. The semantic shift from "to compose/invent" to "to discover/find" happened gradually in medieval French.
Cultural note
Beyond its literal meaning, *trouver* is indispensable for expressing personal opinions in everyday French: *Je trouve ça sympa* ("I think that's nice") or *Tu trouves?* ("Do you think so?"). This usage can catch English speakers off guard, since "find" in English feels more physical. Also note the reflexive *se trouver*, which means "to be located" — *La gare se trouve au centre-ville* ("The train station is in the city center") — a very common alternative to *être*.