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reconocer

reh-koh-neh-SEHR/re.ko.neˈθeɾ/

recognize

Also: know, identify
VerbA2irregular (in the 'yo' form of the present tense) er
A woman smiling brightly in surprise and happiness as she recognizes an old friend walking past her on a sunny street.
infinitivereconocer
gerundreconociendo
past Participlereconocido

📝 In Action

No te reconocí con el pelo corto.

A2

I didn't recognize you with short hair.

¿Reconoces esta canción? Es muy vieja.

B1

Do you recognize this song? It's very old.

El perro reconoció el olor de su dueño inmediatamente.

B1

The dog recognized its owner's scent immediately.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • reconocer la voz – to recognize the voice
  • reconocer un error – to recognize a mistake (in the sense of noticing it)

admit, acknowledge

Also: concede
VerbB2irregular (in the 'yo' form of the present tense) erneutral/formal
A small child looking slightly ashamed while pointing at a spilled glass of milk on the floor, accepting responsibility for the accident.
infinitivereconocer
gerundreconociendo
past Participlereconocido

📝 In Action

Debemos reconocer que la situación es más compleja de lo que parece.

B2

We must acknowledge that the situation is more complex than it seems.

El jefe reconoció el esfuerzo de sus empleados con un bono.

C1

The boss acknowledged (or rewarded) his employees' effort with a bonus.

Él reconoció que se había equivocado en el cálculo.

B2

He admitted that he had made a mistake in the calculation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • reconocer la autoría – to admit authorship
  • reconocer los méritos – to acknowledge the merits/achievements

survey, inspect

Also: examine, explore
VerbC1irregular (in the 'yo' form of the present tense) erformal/specialized
An explorer standing on a high cliff overlooking a vast green valley, holding binoculars and meticulously scanning the landscape.
infinitivereconocer
gerundreconociendo
past Participlereconocido

📝 In Action

El médico tiene que reconocer al paciente antes de dar un diagnóstico.

C1

The doctor has to examine the patient before giving a diagnosis.

Enviaron una patrulla para reconocer la zona fronteriza.

C1

They sent a patrol to survey the border area.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • reconocer el terreno – to survey the land/area
  • reconocer un cadáver – to identify/examine a body

🔄 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
yoreconociera
túreconocieras
ellos/ellas/ustedesreconocieran
nosotrosreconociéramos
vosotrosreconocierais
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: reconocer

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'reconocer' is used in the sentence: 'El gobierno debe reconocer sus errores'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin *recognoscere*, which is a combination of the prefix *re-* (meaning 'again' or 'back') and *cognoscere* (meaning 'to know' or 'to learn'). Therefore, 'reconocer' literally means 'to know again,' perfectly explaining its core sense of identification.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: riconoscereFrench: reconnaître

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'reconocer' related to 'conocer'?

Yes, absolutely! 'Conocer' means 'to know' (a person, place, or thing), and 'reconocer' simply adds the idea of doing it again ('re-')—hence, 'to recognize' someone you already know.

What is the difference between 'reconocer' and 'aceptar'?

'Aceptar' means to simply accept something (a gift, an offer). 'Reconocer,' when used in the sense of acknowledging, implies accepting a truth or responsibility that might be difficult, such as 'reconocer la derrota' (to admit defeat).