wiederfinden
to find again
To find something or someone again that had been lost or missing.
EXAMPLE
Nach langem Suchen habe ich meine Schlüssel endlich wiedergefunden.
After a long search, I finally found my keys again.
wiederfinden
to find again
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Meanings
sich wiederfinden
to find oneself
To unexpectedly be in a certain place or situation.
EXAMPLE
Er wachte auf und fand sich in einem ihm unbekannten Zimmer wieder.
He woke up and found himself in a room he didn't know.
sich in etwas wiederfinden
to see oneself in something
To recognize yourself, your own feelings, or experiences in something else, for example in a story or a character.
EXAMPLE
Viele Leser finden sich in der Hauptfigur des Romans wieder.
Many readers see themselves in the main character of the novel.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Wiederfinden' (to find again) is a separable verb. The prefix 'wieder' comes at the end in a main clause. In a subordinate clause or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich finde meinen Geldbeutel nicht wieder.
I can't find my wallet again.
Word structure
The verb consists of 'wieder' (again) and 'finden' (to find). So the basic meaning is quite literal: to find something again that you once had or knew.
EXAMPLE
Hast du das Buch wiedergefunden, das du gesucht hast?
Did you find the book again that you were looking for?
Reflexive or not?
Without a reflexive pronoun, 'wiederfinden' (to find again) means to find a lost object. With a reflexive pronoun ('sich wiederfinden'), it means to find oneself in a place or situation, often unexpectedly.
EXAMPLE
Endlich habe ich meine Brille wiedergefunden!
I finally found my glasses again!
Use with 'in'
In the meaning 'to identify with', the structure 'sich in etwas (Dativ) wiederfinden' is used. You recognize your own experiences or feelings in a story, a person, or a situation.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Gedicht kann ich mich total wiederfinden.
I can totally see myself in this poem.
Compare with
wiederfinden vs aufhalten
to delay / stay / hold open
Both expressions can say that a person is in a particular place. Sich aufhalten is a neutral statement about the place or the length of time. Sich wiederfinden emphasizes that the person ended up there unexpectedly or as a result of the situation. For a simple statement of location, sich aufhalten is more suitable.
wiederfinden
Nach dem langen Spaziergang fanden wir uns unerwartet in der Stadtbibliothek wieder.
After the long walk, we unexpectedly found ourselves at the city library.
aufhalten
Wir halten uns heute Nachmittag in der Stadtbibliothek auf.
We are spending this afternoon at the city library.
In real life
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