01
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
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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 finden
to find
'finden' and 'wiederfinden' both have to do with discovering something. You use 'finden' generally when you discover something by searching or by chance. 'wiederfinden' only fits when something was previously lost, missing, or no longer there and you find it again. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases, something is there in the end. The important point is: with 'wiederfinden', the thing or person was already in your possession or near you before.
wiederfinden
Jan findet am Abend seinen Reisepass in der Jackentasche wieder.
In the evening, Jan finds his passport again in his jacket pocket.
finden
Selma findet beim Aufräumen einen alten Brief.
While tidying up, Selma finds an old letter.
In real life
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