Reconocer

Reconocer is a Spanish verb with several related meanings centered on identification, acknowledgment, and acknowledgment of receipt. It commonly means to identify or recall someone or something that is already known, as well as to admit or concede a fact, truth, responsibility, or status. It can also mean to recognize receipt of something, such as a document or payment, and to acknowledge that something is true or valid.

Etymology: Reconocer comes from Latin recognoscere, formed by re- “again” and cognoscere “to know.” The sense of recognizing something previously unknown or confirmed evolved into the modern uses of the verb in Spanish.

Conjugation overview: Reconocer is an irregular -cer verb with the notable spelling change in the present tense first-person singular: yo reconozco, tú reconoces, él reconoce, nosotros reconocemos, ellos reconocen. The preterite is regular in endings but uses the stem reconoc-: reconocí, reconociste, reconoció, reconocimos, reconocieron. The imperfect is reconocía, reconocías, reconocía, reconocíamos, reconocían. The future is reconoceré, reconocerás, reconocerá, reconoceremos, reconocerán. The present subjunctive is reconozca, reconozcas, reconozca, reconozcamos, reconozcan. The imperative forms include reconoce (tú), reconozca (usted), reconozcamos (nosotros), reconozcan (ustedes).

Noun and related forms: The related noun reconocimiento means recognition or acknowledgment, and it is used for both personal recognition (reconocimiento de alguien) and formal acknowledgment (reconocimiento de deuda, reconocimiento legal). Adjectives include reconocible “recognizable” and reconocido “recognized, well-known.”

Usage notes: Reconocer is used with a direct object for people (reconocer a alguien) and with ideas or facts to admit their truth (reconocer que, reconocer un error). It also appears in phrases such as reconocer un título or reconocer un crédito. Synonyms include admitir and identificar, depending on context.