How to Say "they meet" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “they meet” is “conocen” — use 'conocen' when 'they meet' implies getting acquainted with someone for the first time or knowing a place or thing.
koh-NOH-senkoˈno.sen
Examples
Ellos conocen a María desde la universidad.
They have known Maria since university.
Ellos conocen bien la ciudad de Madrid.
They know the city of Madrid well.
Mis padres no conocen a mi nuevo jefe.
My parents don't know my new boss.
¿Ustedes conocen el camino a la playa?
Do you all know the way to the beach?
Who Does the Action?
"Conocen" is always used when the people doing the knowing are 'ellos' (they, masculine/mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal or common in Latin America).
Use the 'a' for People
When 'conocen' is followed by a person or pet, you must insert the little word 'a': 'Ellos conocen a mi hermana' (They know my sister).
Conocer vs. Saber
Mistake: “Using 'saben' when talking about familiarity with a person or place (e.g., *Ellos saben a María*).”
Correction: Use 'conocen' for people, places, or being acquainted with something. Use 'saben' only for facts, information, or skills. Correct: 'Ellos conocen a María'.
Examples
Ellos se encuentran en el parque a las tres.
They meet in the park at three.
Conocer vs. Encontrar
The most common mistake is using 'conocer' when you mean to find or locate something or someone. Remember, 'conocer' is for initial introductions or familiarity, while 'encontrar' is for the act of finding or coming across.
Related Translations
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