Trouver vs. se trouver
The French verbs trouver and se trouver both relate to the idea of finding, but they are not interchangeable. The key difference lies in the fact that trouver is a standard verb describing an action performed on an object, while se trouver is a pronominal verb describing a state of being, a location, or a situation one is in.
Trouver
A2This verb means to find something or someone as a result of a search or by chance. It requires a direct object. It can also be used to express an opinion, meaning to think or to consider.
J'ai enfin trouvé mes lunettes.
(I finally found my glasses.)
Nous devons trouver une solution à ce problème.
(We must find a solution to this problem.)
Comment trouves-tu ce restaurant ?
(What do you think of this restaurant?)
Elle trouve que ce livre est ennuyeux.
(She finds that this book is boring.)
Où as-tu trouvé un si beau cadeau ?
(Where did you find such a beautiful gift?)
Se trouver
A2As a pronominal verb, this has two main uses. The most common one means to be located or to be situated. The second one is more literal, meaning to find oneself in a particular place or situation. It can also be used impersonally (il se trouve que...) to mean it happens that... or it turns out that....
La mairie se trouve en face de la poste.
(The town hall is located across from the post office.)
Je me suis trouvé seul dans la pièce.
(I found myself alone in the room.)
Il se trouve que j'ai la réponse à votre question.
(It so happens that I have the answer to your question.)
La clé du mystère se trouve dans cette lettre.
(The key to the mystery is found in this letter.)
Après l'accident, il s'est trouvé dans une situation compliquée.
(After the accident, he found himself in a complicated situation.)
Les toilettes se trouvent au fond du couloir.
(The restrooms are located at the end of the hallway.)
Summary
In essence, trouver is an active verb: you find something (Je trouve le livre). It answers the question What did you find?. On the other hand, se trouver is a verb of state or location: something is located somewhere (Le livre se trouve sur la table). It answers the question Where is it? or In what situation is it?.