Meaning
找到 is a resultative compound verb combining 找 (to search/look for) with the resultative complement 到 (to arrive at/reach), literally meaning 'search and reach.' It indicates the successful completion of a search, emphasizing that what was sought has been found.
Usage
This is one of the most common ways to express finding something in everyday Chinese. The 到 complement specifically marks successful completion, contrasting with just 找 (to search) which doesn't indicate whether the search succeeded. It's used for both concrete objects and abstract things like solutions or jobs.
Examples
- 01我终于找到我的钱包了。.I finally found my wallet.
- 02你找到那家餐厅了吗？?Did you find that restaurant?
Characters
Common collocations
- 找到工作to find a job
- 找到答案to find the answer
- 找到钥匙to find the keys
- 找不到cannot find
Antonyms
Origin
This is a resultative verb compound, a productive pattern in Mandarin where 到 serves as a complement indicating successful arrival or attainment of the action expressed by the main verb.