se retrouver v rencontrer

Question

Is there any difference between the two ? or is se retrouver to meet someone which is prearranged and rencontrer more random? I've noticed that kwizik seems to favour se retrouver as the best answer

thanks

Accepted Answer

Hi Helen,
You would use 'rencontrer' for 'to meet' someone you bumped into or to say you met for the first time -
Au marché, ce matin, j'ai rencontré M. Durand 
J'ai rencontré mon mari au Japon = I met my husband in Japan ( for the first time)
not to be confused with -
J'ai retrouvé mon mari au Japon = I met up with my husband in Japan (you joined him there)
'Se retrouver' is, to meet up with people, so indicating some prior arrangement.
Nous nous sommes retrouvés au cinéma en ville = We met up in the town cinema
Hope this helps!