desconocidos
/des-koh-noh-SEE-dohs/
strangers
Desconocidos refers to people who are strangers to one another.
desconocidos(noun)
strangers
?people you do not know
unknown people
?more formal way to refer to strangers
📝 In Action
No debes hablar con desconocidos en la calle.
A1You shouldn't talk to strangers on the street.
La fiesta estaba llena de desconocidos.
A2The party was full of strangers.
💡 Grammar Points
The Power of 'Des-'
In Spanish, adding 'des-' to the start of a word is just like adding 'un-' in English (like turning 'happy' into 'unhappy'). Here, it turns 'known' into 'unknown'.
Plural and Gender
This word is plural and masculine. You use it for a group of men or a mixed group of people you don't know.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Stranger vs. Strange
Mistake: "Using 'extraños' to mean people you haven't met yet."
Correction: While 'extraños' can mean strangers, it often implies someone is 'weird' or 'strange.' If you just mean you don't know them, 'desconocidos' is the safer, more natural choice.
⭐ Usage Tips
Social Context
Use 'desconocidos' when talking about safety (like with children) or when you feel out of place because you don't recognize anyone.
Desconocidos can describe things that are unknown or unfamiliar.
desconocidos(adjective)
unknown
?not identified or familiar
unfamiliar
?describing things you haven't seen before
,obscure
?not well-known by the public
📝 In Action
Exploraron territorios desconocidos por meses.
B1They explored unknown territories for months.
Sus motivos son desconocidos para nosotros.
B2Their motives are unknown to us.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Since this is an adjective, it has to match the plural thing it's describing. If you are describing plural masculine things (like 'caminos'), use 'desconocidos'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Books or Music
Use this word to talk about hidden gems—artists or books that aren't famous yet.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: desconocidos
Question 1 of 2
If you go to a new city where you don't have any friends, the people there are...
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'desconocidos' only for men?
In Spanish, the masculine plural form is used for groups of men or mixed groups of men and women. If you are talking about a group that consists only of women, you should use 'desconocidas'.
What is the difference between 'extraños' and 'desconocidos'?
'Desconocidos' literally means you don't know them. 'Extraños' can mean 'strangers,' but it often carries the extra meaning of being 'weird' or 'strange.'