Recouvrer and retrouver
Verb "recouvrer" (to recover) is a sustained word that is used primarily in the sense of recovering. It is said of someone who is healed that he has recovered his health and of someone who sees again that he has recovered his sight. Use is confused with verb "retrouver" (to regain) when it comes to regaining a state or faculty: retrouver son calme (regaining one's calm). "Recouvrer" is however fairer and more precise than "retrouver".
To fully appreciate the differences between the two verbs, here are their respective definitions in the dictionary:
recouvrer :
- regain possession of what we'd lost (regained sight).
- collect (e.g. taxes)
retrouver :
- find something that was missing (find his keys).
- discovering someone who was missing (find the perpetrator)
- to recover a state, a faculty (to regain one's calm)
- meet someone on a date (meet someone for lunch)
- to be in touch again after a separation (I'm happy to see you again)