Riconosciuta

Riconosciuta is the feminine singular past participle of the verb riconoscere, and functions as both a passive participle and an adjective. It means “recognized” or “acknowledged” and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, una persona riconosciuta means a recognized person, and un’artista riconosciuta means a recognized artist.

In Italian, riconosciuta appears in compound tenses and can be used with auxiliary verbs such as essere or avere, depending on the construction. Examples include è stata riconosciuta (she has been recognized) and la firma è stata riconosciuta (the signature has been recognized). When used attributively, it forms part of a noun phrase: una figura riconosciuta, una valutazione riconosciuta.

Etymology and related forms: riconosciuta derives from riconoscere, which is built from re- (again/back) and conoscere (to know), ultimately tracing to Latin recognoscere. The word is closely related to the noun riconoscimento (recognition) and to other participial forms such as riconosciuti (recognized, masculine plural) and riconosciute (recognized, feminine plural).

Usage notes: riconosciuta is distinct from riconoscibile (recognizable) and from riconosciuto, the masculine form meaning “recognized” or “acknowledged” in male-gender contexts. In legal, diplomatic, or scholarly writing, riconosciuta can describe states, authorities, or actions officially acknowledged by others, as in una nazione riconosciuta (a recognized nation) or un’autorità riconosciuta.

See also: riconoscimento, riconoscitore, riconoscibile.