Conocías

Conocías is the second person singular form of the imperfect indicative of the Spanish verb conocer. It translates roughly to "you knew" or "you were acquainted with" in English and is used to describe past states or repeated actions in which the subject had knowledge or familiarity with someone or something.

Usage and meaning

Conocías expresses habitual or ongoing knowledge in the past, rather than a single completed event. It can refer to knowing people, places, or information over a period of time. It is often used to set background in a narrative or to contrast with a later change in knowledge.

Key distinctions

- Conociste is the preterite form meaning you met or became acquainted with someone for the first time at a specific moment in the past.

- Conoces is the present form, meaning you currently know or are familiar with someone or something.

- Conocías does not imply a first encounter; it emphasizes prior familiarity or repeated acquaintance.

Examples

- Cuando tenías diez años, ya conocías a la mayoría de los vecinos. (When you were ten, you already knew most of the neighbors.)

- ¿Conocías a ese cantante antes de la entrevista? (Did you know that singer before the interview?)

- Antes de mudarte, ya conocías bien la ciudad. (Before you moved, you were already well acquainted with the city.)

Etymology

Conocer derives from Latin cognoscere, meaning to become acquainted with or to know. Conocías is a regular imperfect form and appears commonly in conversational and written Spanish.