Published February 23, 2025 • Updated September 14, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Se trouver meaning
Se trouver is a French reflexive verb meaning “to be located,” “to be situated,” or sometimes “to happen to be.” Trouver means “to find”. It’s commonly used to say where a person, place, or thing is located. For example, “Où se trouve la gare ?” (Where’s the train station?) In the expression il se trouve que, it means “it happens that” or “as it happens.”
Se trouver pronunciation
The IPA pronunciation of se trouver is /sə tʁu.ve/, which sounds approximately like “suh troo-vay.”
Se trouver example sentences
La banque se trouve au coin de ces deux rues.
The bank is located at the corner of these two streets.
Est-ce que tu sais où se trouve la Martinique ? — Regarde l’atlas !
Do you know where Martinique is located? — Look at the atlas!
Il se trouve que je ne suis pas libre demain. Désolé, je n’y serai pas.
It happens that I’m not free tomorrow. Sorry, I won’t be there.
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- avoir lieu — to take place
- se passer — to happen
- se situer — to be located
- être situé(e) — to be situated, located
- avoir lieu — to take place
- il se trouve que — it happens that, as it happens
- au coin de — on the corner of
- à proximité de — near, close to
📚 Related lessons
👉 Trouver (to find) »
👉 French reflexive verbs »
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