conocía
koh-noh-SEE-ah
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Yo no conocía a nadie en la fiesta.
A2I didn't know anyone at the party.
Ella conocía muy bien las calles de Madrid.
A2She knew the streets of Madrid very well.
Antes, usted conocía ese restaurante.
B1Before, you (formal) knew that restaurant.
La máquina era vieja y no se conocía su origen.
B2The machine was old and its origin was not known.
💡 Grammar Points
Imperfect Tense Function
'Conocía' describes a state of knowledge or familiarity that lasted over a period in the past, or when something 'used to happen.' It focuses on the description, not a single, finished event.
Preterite vs. Imperfect for 'Conocer'
Using the preterite ('conocí') means 'I met' (a single event). Using 'conocía' means 'I knew' (an ongoing state of familiarity).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Conocer vs. Saber
Mistake: "Using 'conocía' when you mean 'I knew a fact' (e.g., *conocía la respuesta*)."
Correction: Use 'sabía' for knowing facts, skills, or information. Use 'conocía' only for knowing people, places, or being familiar with something.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on Description
Think of 'conocía' as describing the 'setting' or background for a past story: 'No la conocía bien (background state) cuando la invité a salir (single action).'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: conocía
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'conocía' to describe a past state?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'conocía' mean 'I met' or 'I knew'?
It means 'I knew' or 'I was familiar with.' The imperfect tense describes an ongoing state in the past. If you want to say 'I met' (a single event), you must use the preterite: 'conocí'.
Why is it important to learn the difference between 'conocía' and 'sabía'?
Both mean 'I knew' in the past, but they are used for different types of knowledge: 'Conocía' is for people, places, and things you are familiar with; 'Sabía' is for facts, information, and skills.