conocí
/konoθi/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "I met" is conocí.
The phrase conocí is used specifically to refer to the single point in time when you were introduced to someone or became acquainted with them. When you use this phrase to refer to a person directly, you must use the personal "a" before the person's name, as in Conocí a Juan.
Which one should you use?
Use conocí to mean "I met" in the sense of meeting someone for the first time. In contrast, the form conocía would mean "I knew" or "I was acquainted with" someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form conocí is the first-person singular preterite indicative of the verb conocer.
How do you pronounce it?
/konoθi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use encontré to mean "I met someone for the first time". However, encontré usually means "found" or "ran into" someone by chance.
Did you know?
- The phrase ya te conozco can be used as a subtle warning to tell someone 'I know your tricks' or 'I know what you are up to'.
- While conocí means 'I met' regarding people, it means 'I experienced' or 'I visited' when applied to places or things, such as conocí París.
- In Spanish, the word for 'to know' is split into two different verbs depending on whether you know a fact or a person. You use saber for information, but you must use conocer for people or places.
Examples in context
- Lo conocí una vez.I met him once.This sentence is useful for saying you met him once using conocí.Tatoeba #1279990 by marcelostockle, translation #66337 by CK
- La conocí en París.I met her in Paris.This sentence is useful for saying you met her in Paris using conocí.Tatoeba #7972152 by kikan321, translation #7972154 by kikan321
- La conocí en Francia.I met her in France.This sentence is useful for saying you met her in France using conocí.Tatoeba #1288256 by Shishir, translation #5277672 by tabular
- Conocí a Juan ayer en la conferencia.I met Juan yesterday at the conference.
- Tuve el placer de conocer a la directora de la empresa.I had the pleasure of meeting the company's director.
- Me encontré con mi antiguo maestro en el supermercado.I ran into my former teacher at the supermarket.
- Conocí a Pedro en la fiesta de Ana.I met Pedro at Ana's party.
- Me topé con María en el parque.I bumped into María at the park.
- Me crucé con mi vecino en el centro comercial.I ran into my neighbor at the mall.
- 88 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are talking about a mutual friend.
- Alejandro¿Cómo conociste a Pablo?How did you meet Pablo?
- ElenaConocí a Pablo en la universidad.I met Pablo at the university.
- AlejandroÉl es una persona muy amable.He is a very kind person.
- ElenaSí, me cayó bien desde que lo conocí.Yes, I liked him from the moment I met him.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
