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Expressing "to find" and opinions with the verb "trouver" in French

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2024-04-25
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The verb trouver (to find) can be used differently depending on context in French.

Using "trouver" to express an opinion in French

(1) 

In French, you often use the verb trouver (to find) in a similar way as the verb penser (to think) to express an opinion, as follows:

Elle trouve qu'elles sont malpolies.
Elle pense qu'elles sont malpolies.She thinks (that) they're rude.

Je trouve que c'est dangereux.I think it's dangerous.

Je trouve qu'il a de bons arguments.I think he's got good arguments.

In this context, just like with penser, you can never omit the pronoun que (that).
See Penser que/Croire que = To think that/To believe that in French

 

(2)

You can also use trouver the same way you use to find [something to be ...] in English, as follows:

Je trouve cela fascinant.I find that fascinating.

Je trouve Martha intéressante.I find Martha interesting.

Ils trouvent ces soirées ennuyeuses.They find these parties boring.


ATTENTION:

When using this second structure with object pronouns (i.e. I find me / you / him / her / us / you / them), in French you use me / te / le / la / nous / vous / les before the verb.

Elle les trouve malpolies.She finds them rude.

Nous la trouvons exquise.We find her exquisite.

Je te trouve dur avec lui.I find you harsh on him.

 

See also the more advanced "Penser/trouver/savoir/croire/prétendre que" are followed with the indicative mood (L'Indicatif) in affirmative sentences BUT with the subjunctive mood (Le Subjonctif) in negative ones

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Examples and resources

Ils trouvent ces soirées ennuyeuses.They find these parties boring.
Nous la trouvons exquise.We find her exquisite.
Je te trouve dur avec lui.I find you harsh on him.
Je trouve cela fascinant.I find that fascinating.
Elle trouve qu'elles sont malpolies.
Elle pense qu'elles sont malpolies.She thinks (that) they're rude.
Il trouve que c'est une belle maison.He finds that it's a beautiful house.
Je trouve qu'il a de bons arguments.I think he's got good arguments.
Elle trouve qu'elles sont malpolies.She thinks they are rude.
Elle les trouve malpolies.She finds them rude.
Je trouve que c'est dangereux.I think it's dangerous.
Je trouve Martha intéressante.I find Martha interesting.
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