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reconoce

reh-koh-NOH-sehre.koˈno.se

“reconoce” means “recognizes” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

recognizes, recognize

Also: identifies, knows (a place)
VerbA2irregular (in the 'yo' form only) er
A delighted young child pointing excitedly at a fluffy brown teddy bear sitting on a high shelf, showing the moment of recognition.
infinitivereconocer
gerundreconociendo
past Participlereconocido

📝 In Action

Ella reconoce la melodía de inmediato, es su favorita.

A2

She recognizes the melody immediately, it's her favorite.

El sistema de seguridad no reconoce su huella digital.

B1

The security system doesn't recognize his digital fingerprint.

¡Reconoce el peligro antes de que sea tarde!

B1

Recognize the danger before it's too late! (Informal command)

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • identifica (identifies)
  • distingue (distinguishes)

Common Collocations

  • reconoce la cara – recognizes the face
  • reconoce la voz – recognizes the voice

acknowledges, admits

Also: concedes, grants
VerbB1irregular (in the 'yo' form only) er
A character standing next to a tipped-over plant, raising their hands slightly in a gesture of admission or acknowledgment towards another calm character.
infinitivereconocer
gerundreconociendo
past Participlereconocido

📝 In Action

La compañía reconoce su error en el informe final.

B2

The company acknowledges its mistake in the final report.

El gobierno reconoce la soberanía de esa nación.

C1

The government grants/acknowledges the sovereignty of that nation.

Nunca reconoce cuando pierde, es muy testarudo.

B1

He never admits when he loses, he is very stubborn.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • reconoce la culpa – admits the fault
  • reconoce los méritos – acknowledges the merits

Indicative

Present

yoreconozco
túreconoces
él/ella/ustedreconoce
nosotrosreconocemos
vosotrosreconocéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesreconocen

Imperfect

yoreconocía
túreconocías
él/ella/ustedreconocía
nosotrosreconocíamos
vosotrosreconocíais
ellos/ellas/ustedesreconocían

Preterite

yoreconocí
túreconociste
él/ella/ustedreconoció
nosotrosreconocimos
vosotrosreconocisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesreconocieron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoreconozca
túreconozcas
él/ella/ustedreconozca
nosotrosreconozcamos
vosotrosreconozcáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesreconozcan

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoreconociera/reconociese
túreconocieras/reconocieses
él/ella/ustedreconociera/reconociese
nosotrosreconociéramos/reconociésemos
vosotrosreconocierais/reconocieseis
ellos/ellas/ustedesreconocieran/reconociesen
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: reconoce

Question 1 of 2

Which of these sentences uses 'reconoce' as a command?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
reconocimiento(recognition/acknowledgement) — Noun
reconocible(recognizable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
conocedesconoce
📚 Etymology▼

The verb *reconocer* comes from the Latin prefix *re-* (meaning 'again') and *cognoscere* (meaning 'to know'). Therefore, it literally means 'to know again' or 'to re-know.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: reconheceFrench: reconnaître

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'reconoce' means 'he recognizes' or 'you (tú) recognize'?

If there is no subject mentioned, look at the context. If you are speaking directly to a friend, it is the command 'Recognize!' If the sentence is describing an action being done by a third person or a formal 'usted,' it means 'he/she/it recognizes.'

Is 'reconocer' tricky to conjugate?

Not really! It only has one small irregularity in the present tense: the 'yo' form is 'reconozco.' All other forms follow the regular '-er' pattern in the indicative mood.