Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| desconocido | /deskonoˈθido/ /deskonoˈsido/ |
| ignoto | /iɡˈnoto/ |
The term desconocido is used to describe people or things that are not recognized or known. If you wish to refer to 'the unknown' as an abstract concept, you should use the neuter article before the adjective to form lo desconocido. Additionally, desconocido can function as a noun to refer to a specific fact or place. In algebra, the term incógnita is used to refer to a variable whose value is to be found.
What does it mean word for word?
The word desconocido is formed from the prefix des- (meaning un-) and conocido (meaning known).
Which one should you use?
While desconocido is the standard term for people or things that are not recognized, ignoto is a more literary term. ignoto is typically reserved for completely undiscovered things or unexplored territories.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, desconocido must agree in both gender and number with the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/deskonoˈθido/
Did you know?
- The word desconocido can be used as a verb in the form desconocer, which can mean to disown a relative or to deny knowing someone entirely.
- The root of ignoto comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵneh₃-, which is the same ancestor for the English word 'know'.
- The mathematical term incógnita is feminine regardless of the variable it refers to, unlike desconocido, which must change gender to match the noun.
Examples in context
- Tom es un artista desconocido.Tom is an unknown artist.This sentence is useful for describing an artist using desconocido.Tatoeba #1552610 by marcelostockle, translation #1517915 by Spamster
- Esto no es nuevo ni desconocido.This is neither new nor unknown.This sentence is useful for using desconocido in a negation.Tatoeba #1769258 by marcelostockle, translation #2733373 by Dejo
- Yanni tenía miedo de lo desconocido.Yanni was afraid of the unknown.This sentence is useful for using the phrase lo desconocido to mean 'the unknown'.Tatoeba #10077142 by manufrutos, translation #10076050 by Amastan
- El autor es desconocido.The author is unknown
- Hay un número desconocido de visitantes en el museo.There is an unknown number of visitors in the museum
- Recibimos una donación anónima para el proyecto.We received an anonymous donation for the project
- Vi en la calle a un chico desconocido.I saw an unknown boy on the street
- Fulano me llamó por teléfono, pero no le conozco.Some guy called me, but I don't know him
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing a strange book they found.
- SofíaEste autor es completamente desconocido para mí.This author is completely unknown to me.
- MateoYo tampoco lo he visto nunca.I have never seen him either.
- SofíaParece que es un escritor desconocido.It seems that he is an unknown writer.
- MateoEspero que el libro sea bueno.I hope the book is good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unknown” translations and entries desconocido, ignoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desconocido, ignoto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
