Which one should you use?
te conozco is used specifically to express personal familiarity with a person.
Is it said differently in some regions?
When addressing a group of people, the forms change based on the region: in Spain, use os conozco for an informal group, while in Latin America, use los conozco to address a group.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on whom you are talking about or how many people there are. To change the object from 'you' to a third party, use lo conozco for 'I know him' and la conozco for 'I know her'. For formal singular address, use le conozco or lo/la conozco. As noted in the regional section, use os conozco for an informal plural group in Spain and los conozco for a group in Latin America.
How do you pronounce it?
/te konoθko/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use te sé when you mean you are acquainted with a person. Instead, use te conozco.
Did you know?
- If you say 'te conozco' to someone in a way that implies you know their secrets or their true nature, it can carry a slightly ominous or confrontational tone. It is often used in films when a character reveals they have seen through someone's lies.
- The word conozco shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cognition'. Both words trace back to the Latin 'cognoscere', meaning to get to know or to recognize.
- In some Latin American countries, using le conozco instead of lo conozco for a man is a regional trait called leísmo, which often signals a higher level of social respect.
Examples in context
- ¡Eh, yo te conozco!Hey. I know you.This example shows how to use te conozco to express recognition.Tatoeba #2351532 by Shishir, translation #1898375 by CK
- Te conozco mejor de lo que piensas.I know you better than you think.This sentence uses te conozco to describe knowing someone's character.Tatoeba #3113435 by marcelostockle, translation #2376524 by CK
- Porque te conozco y tú no eres así.Because I know you and you aren't like that.This sentence uses te conozco to explain why you know someone is not acting like themselves.Tatoeba #4548603 by Shishir, translation #7823324 by eggershead
- Hola, le conozco del trabajo.Hello, I know you from work.
- Buenos días, lo conozco del vecindario.Good morning, I know you from the neighborhood.
- Como líder comunitario, estoy al tanto de quién es usted.As a community leader, I'm aware of who you are.
- ¡No intentes engañarme! Ya te conozco demasiado bien.Don't try to fool me! I already know you too well.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier run into each other at a cafe.
- ElenaJavier, ¡te conozco de la oficina!Javier, I know you from the office!
- Javier¡Hola, Elena! ¿Cómo estás?Hello, Elena! How are you?
- ElenaMuy bien, ¿y tú?Very well, and you?
- JavierTodo bien, qué sorpresa verte.Everything is good, what a surprise to see you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
