Inklingo
Dictionary

desconocer

des-koh-noh-SEHRdeskonosˈer

“desconocer” means “to not know” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to not knowA2Verb

information or a person

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to fail to recognizeB2Verb

when someone has changed a lot

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to not know, to be unaware ofAlso: to have no knowledge of

VerbA2irregular in the 'I' form er
A person standing at a crossroad in a forest looking confused at a blank signpost.
gerunddesconociendo
past Participledesconocido
infinitivedesconocer

📝 In Action

Desconozco la razón por la que llegó tarde.

A2

I don't know the reason why he arrived late.

Muchos turistas desconocen las leyes locales.

B1

Many tourists are unaware of the local laws.

Desconocemos su paradero actual.

B2

We do not know his current whereabouts.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ignorar (to ignore / to be ignorant of)

Antonyms

  • conocer (to know / to be familiar with)
  • saber (to know (facts))

Common Collocations

  • desconocer el origen – to not know the origin
  • por causas que se desconocen – for unknown reasons

to fail to recognize, to disavow / to disregard

VerbB2irregular in the 'I' form er
A person looking at an old friend who is now wearing a very elaborate, colorful costume and mask.

📝 In Action

Está tan cambiado que lo desconocí.

B1

He is so changed that I didn't recognize him.

El gobierno desconoció los resultados de la elección.

C1

The government refused to recognize the election results.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rechazar (to reject)
  • desautorizar (to strip of authority)

Common Collocations

  • desconocer la autoridad – to ignore authority
  • desconocer un acuerdo – to go back on/not acknowledge an agreement

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yodesconociera
túdesconocieras
él/ella/usteddesconociera
nosotrosdesconociéramos
vosotrosdesconocierais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesconocieran

Present Subjunctive

yodesconozca
túdesconozcas
él/ella/usteddesconozca
nosotrosdesconozcamos
vosotrosdesconozcáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesconozcan

Indicative

Preterite

yodesconocí
túdesconociste
él/ella/usteddesconoció
nosotrosdesconocimos
vosotrosdesconocisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesconocieron

Imperfect

yodesconocía
túdesconocías
él/ella/usteddesconocía
nosotrosdesconocíamos
vosotrosdesconocíais
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesconocían

Present

yodesconozco
túdesconoces
él/ella/usteddesconoce
nosotrosdesconocemos
vosotrosdesconocéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdesconocen
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: desconocer

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I don't know' using 'desconocer'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
conocer(to know) — Verb
desconocido(unknown / stranger) — Adjective / Noun
desconocimiento(lack of knowledge) — Noun
conocimiento(knowledge) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
aparecercreceramanecer
📚 Etymology

From the prefix 'des-' (meaning 'not' or 'undoing') added to 'conocer' (from Latin 'cognoscere', to get to know).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: desconhecerItalian: disconoscere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'desconocer' the same as 'no conocer'?

Yes, but 'desconocer' is a single word and often sounds more formal or precise than using 'no' + 'conocer'.

Can I use 'desconocer' for people?

Yes. If you 'desconoces a alguien', it means you don't know who they are. If you say 'lo desconocí', it means you didn't recognize him because he changed so much.

Is it a regular verb?

Almost! It is regular except for the 'I' form (desconozco) and the special forms used for commands/wishes (desconozca).