conocer means "to know" in Spanish, but it specifically refers to being familiar with or acquainted with people, places, or things. It is different from saber, which is used for knowing facts or how to do something.
- conocer is irregular only in the yo form of the present tense: conozco.
- It is a regular -er verb in other forms and tenses.
- Commonly used to express meeting someone for the first time (e.g., conocer a alguien) or being familiar with a place or thing.
Conjugation Table
conocer (to know/be familiar with)
| Tense | Person | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | yo | conozco | I know / I am familiar with |
| Present | tú | conoces | You know / You are familiar with |
| Present | él/ella | conoce | He/She knows / is familiar with |
| Preterite | yo | conocí | I met / I got to know |
| Imperfect | ellos | conocían | They used to know / were familiar with |
| Future | yo | conoceré | I will know / become familiar with |
Common Usage Examples
conocer (to know/be familiar with) | Example | English
--- | --- | ---
conocer a alguien | Conozco a María. | I know María.
conocer un lugar | Conocemos París. | We are familiar with Paris.
conocer (preterite) | Conocí a Carlos ayer. | I met Carlos yesterday.
conocer + que + subjunctive | Conocer que él venga sería bueno. | Knowing that he comes would be good.
I met Carlos yesterday. — _____ a Carlos ayer.
Conocí
"Conocí a Carlos ayer" means "I met Carlos yesterday." The preterite form "conocí" indicates a completed action in the past.
Tips for Usage
- Use conocer + a + [person] when talking about knowing or meeting people.
- Use conocer without a when referring to places, things, or general familiarity.
- Use the preterite forms to talk about meeting someone for the first time.
- Use the present tense for ongoing familiarity or general knowledge.
- Distinguish conocer (familiarity) from saber (facts, information, or skills).
How do you describe meeting someone for the first time using "conocer"?
Use the preterite tense of conocer.
When talking about meeting someone for the first time, "conocer" is typically used in the preterite tense to indicate a completed action.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- Tense: Present
- Person: yo
- English: I know / I am familiar with
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
