How to Say "known" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “known” is “conocido” — use 'conocido' when referring to someone or something that is familiar, famous, or widely recognized by people..
conocido
/ko-no-SEE-do//konoˈsido/
Examples
Es un actor muy conocido.
He's a very well-known actor.
La paella es un plato conocido en todo el mundo.
Paella is a dish known throughout the world.
Este es un hecho bien conocido por los científicos.
This is a fact well known by scientists.
Matching the Noun
Like most Spanish describers, 'conocido' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'conocida' for feminine things (la actriz conocida) and add an 's' for plural things (los actores conocidos, las actrices conocidas).
Using 'Ser', Not 'Estar'
Mistake: “La ciudad está conocida por su comida.”
Correction: La ciudad es conocida por su comida. Use 'ser' (es, son, etc.) with 'conocido' to describe a characteristic or identity, like being famous for something.
sabido
sah-BEE-doh/saˈβi.ðo/
Examples
Ese es un hecho muy sabido por todos en la oficina.
That is a very well-known fact by everyone in the office.
Dicen que el nuevo jefe es muy sabido y no se le escapa nada.
They say the new boss is very cunning, and nothing gets past him.
La respuesta ya era sabida por la audiencia.
The answer was already known by the audience.
Yo no he sabido qué hacer con ese problema.
I have not known what to do with that problem.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'sabido' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): sabido (m. sing.), sabida (f. sing.), sabidos (m. plural), sabidas (f. plural).
Building Perfect Tenses
The past participle 'sabido' is always paired with a form of the helping verb 'haber' (to have) to create compound tenses like the present perfect ('he sabido').
The 'Invariable' Rule
When used with 'haber' to build a perfect tense (e.g., han sabido), the participle sabido never changes its ending—it stays masculine and singular, regardless of who is doing the knowing.
Confusing 'Known' Meanings
Mistake: “Using 'sabido' to mean 'a person I know well' (e.g., *un amigo sabido*).”
Correction: Use 'conocido' for 'acquaintance' or 'familiar person.' 'Sabido' usually refers to facts or shrewd character traits.
Confusing Verb/Adjective Form
Mistake: “Using the adjective form when forming a perfect tense: *Hemos sabidas las noticias.*”
Correction: When paired with 'haber,' the participle does not agree: *Hemos sabido las noticias* (We have known the news).
sabido
sah-BEE-doh/saˈβi.ðo/
Examples
Yo no he sabido qué hacer con ese problema.
I have not known what to do with that problem.
Ese es un hecho muy sabido por todos en la oficina.
That is a very well-known fact by everyone in the office.
Dicen que el nuevo jefe es muy sabido y no se le escapa nada.
They say the new boss is very cunning, and nothing gets past him.
La respuesta ya era sabida por la audiencia.
The answer was already known by the audience.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'sabido' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): sabido (m. sing.), sabida (f. sing.), sabidos (m. plural), sabidas (f. plural).
Building Perfect Tenses
The past participle 'sabido' is always paired with a form of the helping verb 'haber' (to have) to create compound tenses like the present perfect ('he sabido').
The 'Invariable' Rule
When used with 'haber' to build a perfect tense (e.g., han sabido), the participle sabido never changes its ending—it stays masculine and singular, regardless of who is doing the knowing.
Confusing 'Known' Meanings
Mistake: “Using 'sabido' to mean 'a person I know well' (e.g., *un amigo sabido*).”
Correction: Use 'conocido' for 'acquaintance' or 'familiar person.' 'Sabido' usually refers to facts or shrewd character traits.
Confusing Verb/Adjective Form
Mistake: “Using the adjective form when forming a perfect tense: *Hemos sabidas las noticias.*”
Correction: When paired with 'haber,' the participle does not agree: *Hemos sabido las noticias* (We have known the news).
Adjective vs. Verb Form
Related Translations
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