agnosco
[aŋˈnoːs.koː]
The English verb 'know' can be translated into Latin as agnosco, meaning to be acquainted or familiar with. Wiktionary also lists regnosco and nosco.
Meaning: be acquainted or familiar with (verb)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| agnosco | [aŋˈnoːs.koː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [aɲˈɲɔs.ko] (narrow) |
| regnosco | |
| nosco | [ˈnoːs.koː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈnɔs.ko] (narrow) |
| noscito | [ˈnoːs.kɪ.toː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈnɔʃ.ʃi.to] (narrow) |
These forms are used to express being acquainted or familiar with someone or something. In certain contexts, the related term scitus can convey the sense of being witty or clever.
Which one should you use?
The provided forms include agnosco, regnosco, nosco and noscito.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word scio serves as the first-person singular present form of this concept.
Did you know?
- The perfect tense form nōvī is used as a replacement for an older root that would have sounded like 'nātus', the word for 'born'.
- The term scitus describes someone who is 'known', but in a social context, it evolved to mean someone who is 'clever' or 'witty'.
- While nosco focuses on the process of getting to know something, the related scio focuses on the completed state of possessing knowledge.
Examples in context
- Omnes in rure nosco.I know everyone in the village.This sentence is useful for practicing the form nosco when referring to people in a specific location.Tatoeba #12903795 by rul, translation #12200878 by Miktsoanit
- Bonum medicum nosco.I know a good doctor.This sentence is useful for practicing the form nosco when describing a person's profession.Tatoeba #13373335 by rul, translation #12844561 by rul
- Utramque puellam nosco.I know both of the girls.This sentence is useful for practicing the form nosco when referring to multiple people.Tatoeba #5175349 by lipao, translation #254492 by CK
- Scio tibi valde placere poesiam.I know you really enjoy poetry.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucia and Lucius meet a new acquaintance in the forum.
- LuciaHunc virum non agnosco.I do not know this man.
- LuciusEgo autem eum agnosco.But I know him.
- LuciaUnde eum agnoscis?From where do you know him?
- LuciusEum ex urbe agnosco.I know him from the city.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “know” translations and entries agnosco, nosco, noscito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agnosco, noscito, nosco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
