conocí
/ko-no-SEE/
I met
Conocí means 'I met' when referring to a first encounter with a person.
conocí(verb)
I met
?when first encountering a person
,I first saw
?when encountering a place or thing
I got to know
?initiation of acquaintance
📝 In Action
Conocí a mi esposa hace diez años en Madrid.
A1I met my wife ten years ago in Madrid.
Por fin conocí el mar la semana pasada, ¡fue increíble!
A2I finally saw the ocean last week; it was incredible!
¿Dónde conocí a tu hermana? Su cara me suena.
A2Where did I meet your sister? Her face looks familiar to me.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Meeting' Verb
Using 'conocí' (the past action tense) is how you express the single, completed action of meeting someone for the very first time. Think of it as 'The moment I met them.'
A Personal Touch (The 'a')
When 'conocí' is followed by a person, you must use the personal 'a': 'Conocí a mi jefe.' This little word shows that the action is directed toward a person.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Knowing vs. Meeting
Mistake: "Using 'Yo supe' when you mean 'I met'."
Correction: Use 'Conocí' for meeting a person or becoming familiar with a place. 'Supe' means 'I found out a fact' ('Supe la verdad' = I found out the truth).
⭐ Usage Tips
Imperfect vs. Preterite
Remember: 'Yo conocí' (preterite) means 'I met.' If you say 'Yo conocía' (imperfect), it means 'I knew' (I was already acquainted with) them for a while.
Conocí also means 'I became aware of' when referring to ideas or concepts.
conocí(verb)
I became aware of
?when dealing with ideas, feelings, or concepts
I experienced
?a culture or way of life
📝 In Action
Conocí la felicidad cuando nació mi hijo.
B1I experienced happiness when my son was born.
En ese viaje, conocí una nueva perspectiva de la vida.
B2On that trip, I discovered a new perspective on life.
💡 Grammar Points
Focus on the Start
Even with abstract concepts like 'peace' or 'sadness,' 'conocí' emphasizes the moment when you first became acquainted with that emotion or idea.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: conocí
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'conocí' to mean 'I met'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'conocí' irregular?
Yes and no. In the preterite tense (the tense of 'conocí'), it is completely regular. However, the root verb 'conocer' is irregular in the present tense ('yo conozco').
How is 'conocí' different from 'supe'?
'Conocí' (from *conocer*) is used for meeting people or seeing places for the first time. 'Supe' (from *saber*) is the past tense for discovering a fact or information (e.g., 'I found out the news').