Being familiar with a person and identifying that person in a particular moment are different ideas.

The idea

Use conozco a Marta for knowing Marta and reconozco a Marta por su voz for identifying her by her voice.

Examples

  • Conozco a Marta desde hace años.I have known Marta for years.
  • Reconozco a Marta por su voz.I recognize Marta by her voice.
  • Conocemos este barrio.We know this neighborhood.
  • ¿Reconoces esta canción?Do you recognize this song?
  • Todavía no conozco al profesor.I do not know the teacher yet.
  • Ahora no reconozco la calle después de las obras.Now I do not recognize the street after the construction work.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Reconocer also has other meanings, such as acknowledging something; this lesson focuses on identifying someone or something.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the verb for knowing Marta over time. ___ a Marta desde hace años. (Conozco / Reconozco)

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    Conozco

    Conozco expresses being familiar with Marta.

  2. Choose the verb for identifying Marta by voice. ___ a Marta por su voz. (Reconozco / Conozco)

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    Reconozco

    Reconozco expresses identifying Marta by her voice.

  3. Choose the verb for identifying the song. ¿___ esta canción? (Reconoces / Conoces)

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    Reconoces

    Reconoces asks whether you identify the song.

Use it today

Choose the verb for familiarity or identification as explicitly described in each context.