Incontrarsi vs. incontrare
The Italian verbs 'incontrarsi' and 'incontrare' both relate to meeting, but they have distinct uses and implications.
Incontrarsi
'Incontrarsi' is a reflexive verb meaning 'to meet each other' or 'to meet up'. It implies a mutual action or a planned encounter between two or more people.
Ci incontriamo alle 8 davanti al cinema.
(We're meeting at 8 in front of the cinema.)
Marco e Giulia si incontrano ogni giovedì per studiare insieme.
(Marco and Giulia meet up every Thursday to study together.)
I vecchi amici si sono incontrati dopo molti anni.
(The old friends met up after many years.)
Incontrare
'Incontrare' is a transitive verb meaning 'to meet' or 'to encounter'. It's often used for chance encounters or when one person meets another.
Ho incontrato Maria al supermercato.
(I met Maria at the supermarket.)
Il presidente incontrerà i giornalisti domani.
(The president will meet the journalists tomorrow.)
Abbiamo incontrato molte difficoltà durante il viaggio.
(We encountered many difficulties during the trip.)
Summary
While 'incontrarsi' is used for mutual, often planned meetings between people, 'incontrare' is typically used for chance encounters or when one person or thing meets another. 'Incontrarsi' emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the meeting, while 'incontrare' focuses on the act of meeting itself, regardless of whether it's planned or by chance.