Conocer: to know
Pronunciation: koh-noh-SEHR (stress the capital letters)
Conocer means “to know” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to know (people, places), to meet
- How to say it: koh-noh-SEHR
- Present: yo conozco, tú conoces
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “conocer” means and how to use it
Conocer means to know or be familiar with a person, a place, or a thing. In the past tense it often means “to meet for the first time.”
How to conjugate “conocer”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | conozco | I |
| tú | conoces | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | conoce | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | conocemos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | conocen | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo conocí, él conoció | I / he or she |
| Past participle | conocido | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Conozco bien esta ciudad.I know this city well.
- ¿Conoces a mi hermano?Do you know my brother?
- Conocí a Ana en la universidad.I met Ana at the university.
Usage tip
Put “a” before a specific person: conozco a María. Use saber, not conocer, for facts: sé su nombre.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to know” in Spanish?
“to know” in Spanish is “conocer.” It is pronounced koh-noh-SEHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “conocer”?
Say koh-noh-SEHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “conocer”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “conocí” and “él” is “conoció.” The past participle is “conocido.”
Practice “conocer” for free
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Practice Spanish for free with Leo Read the lesson: Saber vs. Conocer: What’s the Difference?