To Find
To Find Something
transitive verb, ichidan verb
You know that 付ける means "to attach" and that 見 means "see." So, when you attach your seeing to something, it's like you're looking around trying to find something. When you find what you're looking for, imagine your eyeballs flying out and attaching to that item, then yelling "I FOUND IT!"
You'll usually see this word with the 付 in kana, so 見つける.
The readings come from 見る and 付ける. If you use those readings, you'll be able to read this word too.
私の母を見付けることが出来ますか？
Can you find my mother?
先日、あの木の下で宝石を見付けたんです。
The other day, I found a gem under that tree.
今日は、自分の気に入った本を見付けることが出来たので、よかったです。
I was glad I could find a book I like today.