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reconoce

reh-koh-NOH-seh/re.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

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

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

imperfect

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

preterite

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

subjunctive

present

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

imperfect

él/ella/ustedreconociera/reconociese
yoreconociera/reconociese
túreconocieras/reconocieses
ellos/ellas/ustedesreconocieran/reconociesen
nosotrosreconociéramos/reconociésemos
vosotrosreconocierais/reconocieseis
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.