sconosce

Sconosce is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Italian verb sconoscere. The verb conveys meanings related to not knowing something or someone, being unaware of a fact, or, in some contexts, denying knowledge or recognition. It is formed from the base conoscere with a prefix that signals negation, yielding a sense opposite to conoscere (to know).

Sconoscere is a transitive verb used with direct objects in many contexts. In present tense, the forms are: io sconosco, tu sconosci, lui/lei sconosce, noi sconosciamo, voi sconoscete, loro sconoscono. The corresponding third-person plural form is sconoscono; the past tense forms follow the standard -ere verb conjugation patterns with appropriate auxiliary verbs.

In usage, sconoscere can denote a lack of knowledge about a person, a fact, or a circumstance. In everyday Italian, however, speakers more commonly use non conoscere or non riconoscere to express not knowing or failing to recognize. Sconoscere may appear more often in literary, historical, or formal/legal writing, where it can carry a nuance of disavowing knowledge or denying familiarity.

Etymologically, sconoscere derives from conoscere with a negating prefix, reflecting a semantic shift toward negation of knowledge. Related verbs include conoscere (to know), riconoscere (to recognize or acknowledge), and disconoscere (to disown or deny knowledge).

See also: conoscere, riconoscere, disconoscere.