Inklingo

How to Say "well-known" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “well-known” is “conocido” — use 'conocido' when something or someone is generally recognized or familiar to many people, often implying a degree of fame or notoriety.

conocido🔊A2

Use 'conocido' when something or someone is generally recognized or familiar to many people, often implying a degree of fame or notoriety.

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famoso🔊A1

Use 'famoso' specifically when something or someone has achieved widespread fame and public recognition, often associated with celebrities or notable achievements.

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popular🔊A2

Choose 'popular' when referring to something that is liked or admired by many people, or has gained widespread acceptance and appeal, especially in cultural contexts.

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sabido🔊B1

Use 'sabido' when referring to a fact, piece of information, or situation that is generally known or understood by a specific group or the public, implying it's common knowledge.

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notorio🔊B2

Employ 'notorio' when something is publicly recognized, often for a specific quality or characteristic, and can sometimes carry a slightly negative or conspicuous connotation.

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English → Spanish

conocido

ko-no-SEE-dokonoˈsido

adjectiveA2general
Use 'conocido' when something or someone is generally recognized or familiar to many people, often implying a degree of fame or notoriety.
A drawing of a famous, iconic landmark structure being admired by many small people below.

Examples

Es un actor muy conocido.

He is 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.

famoso

fah-MOH-sohfaˈmoso

adjectiveA1general
Use 'famoso' specifically when something or someone has achieved widespread fame and public recognition, often associated with celebrities or notable achievements.
A single person standing on a small wooden stage, brightly lit by a focused beam of light from above, symbolizing being well-known.

Examples

Este es un actor muy famoso.

This is a very famous actor.

La ciudad es famosa por sus vinos.

The city is famous for its wines.

Esa canción se hizo famosa en los años noventa.

That song became famous in the nineties.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'famoso' is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the thing it describes (the noun). Use 'famoso' for masculine singular, 'famosa' for feminine singular, 'famosos' for masculine plural, and 'famosas' for feminine plural.

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: “Las cantantes famoso.”

Correction: Las cantantes famosas. (Since 'cantantes' is plural and feminine, 'famoso' must also be plural and feminine.)

popular

poh-poo-LAHRpo.puˈlaɾ

adjectiveA2general
Choose 'popular' when referring to something that is liked or admired by many people, or has gained widespread acceptance and appeal, especially in cultural contexts.
A bright red soccer ball is being enthusiastically chased by five smiling children on a sunny green field, illustrating something well-liked or common.

Examples

Esa banda de música se hizo muy popular en España.

That music band became very popular in Spain.

Es un destino turístico muy popular durante el verano.

It is a very popular tourist destination during the summer.

La comida rápida es popular por ser barata y rápida.

Fast food is popular because it is cheap and quick.

Adjective Form

As an adjective, 'popular' is the same whether you are describing a masculine person/thing (el libro popular) or a feminine person/thing (la canción popular). It only changes for the plural: populares.

sabido

sah-BEE-dohsaˈβi.ðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'sabido' when referring to a fact, piece of information, or situation that is generally known or understood by a specific group or the public, implying it's common knowledge.
A bright yellow announcement poster displayed prominently on a wooden bulletin board in a sunny town square. Several small, simple figures are standing around the bulletin board looking up at the poster.

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.

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).

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.

notorio

no-TO-ryonoˈtoɾjo

adjectiveB2general
Employ 'notorio' when something is publicly recognized, often for a specific quality or characteristic, and can sometimes carry a slightly negative or conspicuous connotation.
A bright red apple sitting alone on a plain white table under a spotlight.

Examples

Hubo un cambio notorio en su actitud después de las vacaciones.

There was an obvious change in his attitude after the vacation.

Es un hecho notorio que la ciudad ha crecido mucho.

It is a well-known fact that the city has grown a lot.

La falta de personal es notoria en este hospital.

The lack of staff is evident in this hospital.

Matching the Noun

Since this is an adjective, it must match the gender of the thing it describes. Use 'notorio' for masculine things (un cambio notorio) and 'notoria' for feminine things (una diferencia notoria).

Positioning for Emphasis

You usually place 'notorio' after the noun it describes to sound natural, though in very formal writing it might occasionally appear before.

The 'Notorious' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'notorio' to mean someone is famous for doing something bad.”

Correction: In English, 'notorious' is usually negative. In Spanish, 'notorio' is mostly neutral and just means 'obvious' or 'clear.' To say someone is notorious in a bad way, use 'infame'.

Famoso vs. Conocido

Learners often confuse 'famoso' and 'conocido'. 'Famoso' specifically implies celebrity or widespread public renown, while 'conocido' is broader and can mean simply familiar or recognized by many people, not necessarily famous.

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