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desconocer

des-koh-noh-SEHRdeskonosˈer

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

to not know, to be unaware of

Also: 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

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

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

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdesconocen
yodesconozco
túdesconoces
vosotrosdesconocéis
nosotrosdesconocemos
él/ella/usteddesconoce
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▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 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).