conocieron
/koh-noh-SYEHR-ohn/
they met
The image shows two people meeting for the first time, illustrating the meaning 'they met'.
conocieron(Verb)
they met
?meeting for the first time
,you (plural, formal) met
?meeting for the first time
they got to know
?acquiring initial knowledge of someone
📝 In Action
Ellos se conocieron en la universidad hace diez años.
A1They met at the university ten years ago.
¿Cuándo conocieron a tu jefe nuevo?
A2When did they meet your new boss?
Ustedes conocieron el peligro justo a tiempo.
B1You (formal plural) recognized the danger just in time.
💡 Grammar Points
Preterite Tense Focus
This form uses the simple past tense, which focuses on an action that started and finished at a specific point in the past (like meeting someone).
The 'c' to 'zc' Change
The base verb 'conocer' is slightly irregular because the 'yo' form of the present tense changes from 'c' to 'zc' ('conozco'). However, in this past tense form ('conocieron'), the stem is regular.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Se' for Meeting
When talking about two people meeting each other, you usually need the word 'se' before 'conocieron' (Ellos se conocieron) to show the action was mutual.
The image of a discovery represents the meaning 'they found out'.
conocieron(Verb)
they found out
?realizing or discovering something
they learned about
?gaining knowledge
,they visited
?experiencing a new place
📝 In Action
Ellos conocieron la verdad ayer, y se sorprendieron.
A2They found out the truth yesterday, and they were surprised.
Cuando viajaron a Asia, conocieron una cultura totalmente diferente.
B1When they traveled to Asia, they experienced a totally different culture.
💡 Grammar Points
Preterite vs. Imperfect
In the past tense, conocieron (preterite) means 'they found out' or 'they met' (a sudden event). Conocían (imperfect) means 'they knew' (an ongoing state of knowledge).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Past Tenses
Mistake: "Usando 'conocían la verdad' para decir que la descubrieron ayer."
Correction: Say 'conocieron la verdad.' Use the simple past ('conocieron') for the specific moment of discovery, not the descriptive past ('conocían').
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: conocieron
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'conocieron' to mean 'they met for the first time'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'conocieron' and 'conocían'?
'Conocieron' (simple past) describes a single, completed event in the past, like 'they met' or 'they found out.' 'Conocían' (descriptive past) describes an ongoing state in the past, like 'they knew' or 'they were familiar with.'
Who does 'conocieron' refer to?
It is the form used for 'ellos' (they, masculine or mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you, plural/formal).