Conoces

Conoces is the second-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb conocer. It means “you know” or “you are familiar with” and is used to express acquaintance or familiarity with people, places, things, or experiences. It is distinct from saber, which is used for facts, information, or know-how. For example, ¿Conoces a mi primo? (Do you know my cousin?) ¿Conoces Madrid? (Are you familiar with Madrid?) Conocer can also express “to meet” in the sense of becoming acquainted, as in “conocer a alguien” meaning to meet someone.

Conocer is irregular in the present tense: yo conozco; tú conoces; él/ella/Ud. conoce; nosotros conocemos; vosotros conocéis; ellos conocen. Conoces, as the tú form, is followed by either a direct object (conoces a alguien) or a phrase indicating what is known (conoces ese libro; conoces esa canción). When the object is a person, Spanish uses the personal “a”: “conoces a Marta” or “¿Conoces a mi doctor?” Cities and things do not take a personal “a”: “Conoces México” o “Conoces este barrio.”

Usage notes: In Spain the vosotros form “conocéis” is common; in Latin America, “ustedes conocen” is used. In negative sentences, “no conozco,” “no conoces,” etc. Learners often confuse conocer with saber, since both can translate as “to know,” but conocer is used for familiarity with people, places, or things, while saber is used for facts, information, or skills.

Etymology: Conocer comes from the Latin cognoscere, from con- plus gnoscere, meaning to know or become aware of. It has evolved to denote acquaintance or familiarity beyond mere factual knowledge.