Conocer Conjugation | How to Conjugate Conocer in Spanish

¡Hola! ¿Ya conoces al verbo conocer? In this article, I’ll show you all the conjugations for conocer. You’ll learn to conjugate the verb conocer in the different Spanish tenses. To make things easier, you’ll find a conjugation table for every tense. Conocer is a frequently used verb, but telling apart its conjugations can be tricky. We’ll show you the right way to apply its conjugations and some example sentences with translations to help you practice.

Conocer is an irregular verb meaning “to know.” It’s used to express familiarity with someone or something. People often mistake conocer for saber because they seem to have similar meanings. The difference between conocer and saber is that saber indicates deep understanding or knowing a topic, while conocer is used with places and people. The table below shows three common conjugations of the verb conocer: the infinitive, the gerund, and the past participle.

Here are three example sentences that use the conjugations of conocer from the table above:

• Infinitive: Él quiere conocer la diferencia entre ambas ciudades. (He wants to know the difference between both cities.)
• Gerund:Conociendo a su madre, eligió no decir nada. (Knowing her mother, she chose not to say anything.)
• Past Participle: Si hubiese conocido esta ruta, hubiese ahorrado mucho tiempo. (If i had known this route, I would have saved a lot of time.)

Now, we’ll conjugate conocer in the different Spanish tenses. The table below shows all the Spanish tenses. You can click on each one to see conocer conjugated in that specific tense.

• Present Perfect
• Future Perfect
• Past Perfect (Pluperfect)
• Conditional Perfect
• Preterite Perfect (Past Anterior)

• Present Subjunctive
• Future Subjunctive
• Imperfect Subjunctive

• Present Perfect Subjunctive
• Future Perfect Subjunctive
• Pluperfect Subjunctive

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How to Conjugate the Spanish Verb Conocer in Indicative Tense

The indicative tense is the most commonly used mood in Spanish. We use it to talk about facts, habits, descriptions, and to make statements. You can use it to describe events in the past, present, and future, so it’s quite useful. The indicative forms of conocer help us point out people and places we know. We’ll study the following indicative tenses: indicative present, indicative future, indicative preterite, indicative imperfect, and indicative conditional.

Indicative Present

We use the indicative present tense to talk about actions in the current time. In the case of the verb conocer, you can use its indicative present form to describe someone or someplace you currently know. For example, you can say, “Él conoce el valle como la palma de su mano,” which means, “He knows the valley like the back of his hand.” You can find the Spanish verb conjugations of conocer in the indicative present below:

• Ellos conocen a todos sus primos. / They know all their cousins.
• Nosotros no conocemos las profundidades del océano. / We don’t know the depths of the sea.
• ¿Tú conoces ese restaurante? / Do you know that restaurant?

Indicative Future

The indicative future tense is used to discuss events that will happen. You can use conocer in this tense to talk about places or people you will know in the future. Notice that “meet” is used instead of “know” when talking about people, because the action is taking place later in time. For example, you can say, “Conoceré a mi tío el fin de semana,” which means, “I will meet my uncle on the weekend.” You can still use “know” when talking about a place in phrases like, “Conoceré bien el campus dentro de un par de semanas” which means, “I will know the campus well after a couple of weeks.”

Below, you can find the conjugation table for conocer in the indicative future tense:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the indicative future tense:

• Conoceré el camino de regreso una vez que lo memorice. / I will know the way back once I memorize it.
• Ustedes conocerán al resto de la familia muy pronto. / You will meet the rest of the family very soon.
• Vosotros conoceréis al dueño de la casa durante la cena. / You will meet the owner of the house during dinner.

Indicative Preterite

With the indicative preterite tense, we can describe past events. The indicative preterite conjugations of conocer allow us to recall people or places we knew but don’t anymore. For example, you can say, “Conocimos a alguien con el mismo nombre que tú,” which means, “We knew someone with the same name as you.”

Here’s the conjugation table for conocer in the indicative present tense:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the indicative preterite tense:

• Vos conociste al artista más popular de esa época. / You knew the most popular artist of that time.
• Ella conoció diferentes tipos de personas de alrededor de todo el mundo. / She knew different types of people from all around the world.
• Yo conocí a alguien completamente diferente. / I knew someone completely different.

Indicative Imperfect

The indicative imperfect tense is used to talk about past actions that were ongoing. The verb conocer helps us remember people or places we used to know. For example, you can say, “Vosotros conocíais a un doctor de apellido Hellman,” which means, “You used to know a doctor with the last name Hellman.”

You can find the conjugation table for conocer in the indicative imperfect tense below:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the indicative imperfect tense:

• Yo conocía a un niño con el mismo nombre. / I used to know a boy with the same name.
• Usted conocía a la vecina que vivía en el piso de arriba. / You used to know the neighbor who lived on the upstairs floor.
• Ustedes conocían a todos los maestros en la escuela. / You used to know all the teachers at school.

Indicative Conditional

With the indicative conditional tense, we can create theories or hypothetical situations. You can use the verb conocer in this form to point out people or places you would know in a speculative event. Remember that, when using the indicative conditional in the future time to talk about people, you must use “meet” instead of “know.” For example, you can say, “Conocería más gente si saliera más seguido de la casa,” which means, “I would know more people if I left the house more often.”

Below, you can find the conjugation table for conocer in the indicative conditional tense:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the indicative conditional tense:

• Usted conocería quién vive en la casa si hubiese llamado a la puerta. / You would know who lives in the house if you had knocked on the door.
• Ellas conocerían a sus artistas favoritos si pudiesen ir al concierto. / They would meet their favorite artists if they could go to the concert.
• Conocerías a su hermano si la invitases a salir. / You would meet her brother if you invited her to go out.

How to Conjugate Conocer in Perfect Tense

In Spanish, we use the perfect tense to describe past events that influence the present. To conjugate conocer in this mood, you need to use the auxiliary verb “haber” and the past participle of conocer (conocido). Notice that while the past participle doesn’t change to match the pronouns, the verb haber does. We’ll go over the next perfect tenses: present perfect, future perfect, past perfect, conditional perfect, and preterite perfect.

Present Perfect

With the present perfect tense, we can describe events that took place in the past but still matter in the present. You can use the verb conocer in this tense to tell others about people you have known for a specific or non-specific period. For example, you can say, “Hemos conocido este pueblo desde que éramos niños,” which means, “We have known this town since we were children.”

You can find the conjugation table for conocer in the present perfect tense below:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the present perfect tense:

• Habéis conocido a ese hombre todo este tiempo, ¿y no dijiste nada? / You have known that man all this time, and you didn’t say anything?
• Ella ha conocido a su mejor amiga desde la secundaria. / She has known her best friend since high school.
• He conocido esta calle desde que tengo memoria. / I have known this street for as long as I can remember.

Future Perfect

The future perfect helps us talk about an action that took place before a specific time in the future. The future perfect conjugation of the verb conocer can be used to tell others about someone or someplace you will have known by a certain point in the future. For example, you can say, “El próximo mes, nosotros habremos conocido al maestro por dos años,” which means, “Next month, we will have known the teacher for two years.”

Below, you can find the conjugation table for conocer in the future perfect tense:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the future perfect tense:

• Habremos conocido al candidato ideal para el puesto para entonces. / We will have known the ideal candidate for the position by then.
• Ellos habrán conocido más personas de las que pueden recordar para fin de año. / They will have met more people than they can remember by the end of the year.
• ¿Habrá conocido a Benjamín entonces?/ Will he have met Benjamin by then?

Past Perfect (Pluperfect)

We use the past perfect or pluperfect tense to discuss actions that happened before other events in the past. The past perfect conjugations of conocer can be used to tell others about someone you had known before. For example, you can say, “Había conocido a los vecinos por un par de meses,” which means, “I had known the neighbors for a couple of months.”

Here’s the conjugation table for conocer in the past perfect tense:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the pluperfect tense:

• Nosotros habíamos conocido a otras personas en nuestra última visita a Berlín. / We had known different people in our last visit to Berlin.
• Ellos habían conocido a sus tíos por muy poco tiempo. / They had known their uncles for a very short time.
• Vos habías conocido quien era él realmente. / You had known who he really was.

Conditional Perfect

The conditional perfect tense helps us talk about possibilities and opinions, or create theories. You can use conocer in this tense to make up hypotheses about what you would have known. For example, you can say, “Habríamos conocido el horario del bus si lo hubiesemos buscando en línea,” which means, “We would have known the bus schedule if we had looked it up online.”

You can find the conjugation table for conocer in the conditional perfect tense right below:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the conditional perfect tense:

• Habrías conocido a mi perro si hubieses ido a mi casa. / You would have met my dog if you had gone to my house.
• Si hubieras prestado atención, habrías conocido el camino. / If you had paid attention, you would have known the way.
• Ustedes habrían conocido a su abuelo si hubiesen nacido cinco años antes. / You would have known your grandfather if you had been born five years earlier.

Preterite Perfect (Past Anterior)

With the preterite perfect tense, we can discuss actions completed before other actions in the past. In the case of conocer, you can use it in the preterite perfect tense to talk about someone you had known in the past before a separate event took place. For example, you can say ,“Hubo conocido a su padre solo por un par de años, antes de la guerra,” which means, “He had known his father only for a couple of years before the war.” This tense is not commonly used in modern Spanish, but learning to use it can still be useful to understand old texts.

Below, you can find the conjugation table for conocer in the preterite perfect tense:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the preterite perfect tense:

• Hubisteis conocido a un Pablo diferente antes de ese viaje. / You had known a different Pablo before that trip.
• Hube conocido solo los mejores aspectos de mis amigos. / I had known only the best aspects of my friends.
• Vos hubiste conocido a tu hermano desde el día en que nació. / You had known your brother since the day he was born.

How to Conjugate Conocer in Subjunctive Tense

In Spanish, we need the subjunctive tense to discuss subjective ideas. In English, however, the subjunctive tense doesn’t exist because specific words and phrases can be used to express uncertainness. The verb conocer can be used in the subjunctive mood to talk about the possibilities of knowing someone. We’ll cover the following subjunctive tenses: present subjunctive, future subjunctive, and imperfect subjunctive.

Present Subjunctive

We use the present subjunctive tense to express doubt, talk about wishes, hopes, or intentions. You can conjugate conocer in this tense to tell others how you might know someone or someplace. For example, you can say, “Quizás ella conozca la dirección del bar,” which means, “Maybe she knows the bar’s address.”

Below, you can find the present subjunctive conjugation table for conocer:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the present subjunctive tense:

• Puede que conozcan esa canción por su título alternativo. / They might know that song by its alternative title.
• Espero que conozcas al dueño de la fiesta. / I hope you know the host of the party.
• Quizás vosotros conozcáis dónde está el hotel. / Maybe you know where the hotel is.

Future Subjunctive

With the future subjunctive tense, we can create hypothetical scenarios about the future. In the case of conocer, you can use its future subjunctive conjugations to talk about someone you will know in a separate event that took place first. For example, you can say, “Quizás conocieren al rey en su próxima visita a Londres,” which means, “Maybe you will meet the King on your next visit to London.” Conocer is rarely used in this verb tense, but you might find its future subjunctive conjugations in old texts or legal documents.

Here’s the conjugation chart for conocer in the future subjunctive:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the future subjunctive tense:

• Puede que conociere dónde está el tesoro. / Maybe he will know where the treasure is.
• Si usted conociere a mi hija, escríbame de inmediato. / If you will meet my daughter, write to me immediately.
• Si yo conociere alguien así, te lo diré. / If I will meet someone like that, I will tell you.

Imperfect Subjunctive

The imperfect subjunctive tense is used to discuss uncertain events. It can also be used to express how you feel about possible future actions. You can the imperfect subjunctive conjugations of conocer to explain what would happen if you knew someone or someplace. For example, you can say, “Si conociera al presidente, le diría mi opinión” which means, “If I knew the president, I would tell him my opinion.”

You can find the conjugation table for conocer in the imperfect subjunctive tense right below:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the imperfect subjunctive tense:

• Si nosotros conociésemos a esa mujer, ayudaríamos a encontrarla. / If we knew that woman, we would help to find her.
• ¿Qué dirías si conocieses a tu bisabuelo? / What would you say if you knew your great grandfather?
• No creo que vos conocieras a Cathy lo suficiente. / I don’t think you knew Cathy well enough.

How to Conjugate Conocer in Perfect Subjunctive Tense

We use the perfect subjunctive tense to discuss events in the past that could have influenced the present. You can use conocer in this mood to talk about the possibility of knowing someone. To conjugate the verb conocer in this tense, you must use the auxiliary verb “haber” and the past participle of conocer (conocido). We’ll look at these perfect subjunctive tenses: present perfect subjunctive, future perfect subjunctive, and pluperfect subjunctive.

Present Perfect Subjunctive

With the present perfect subjunctive tense, we can describe past events still connected to the present. You can also use this tense to discuss actions that will take place at a specific time in the future. The present perfect subjunctive conjugations of conocer help us talk about things we have known in the past but are still familiar with. For example, you can say, “Puede que hayamos conocido a Harry por más tiempo del que parece,” which means, “We may have known Harry for longer than it seems.”

You can find the conjugation table for conocer in the present perfect subjunctive tense right below:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the present perfect subjunctive tense:

• Que haya conocido a Lisa toda su vida no significa que vayan a casarse. / That he has known Lisa all his life doesn’t mean that they are going to get married.
• Es genial que hayas conocido a Pedro desde la secundaria. / It’s great that you have known Pedro since high school.
• No me molesta que hayáis conocido a Lucía por más tiempo que yo. / It doesn’t bother me that you have known Lucia for more time that I have.

Future Perfect Subjunctive

The future perfect subjunctive tense helps us talk about possible future events. In the case of conocer, you can use its future perfect subjunctive conjugations to create hypothetical future scenarios where you will have known someone. For example, you can say, “Hubiere conocido tu dirección si me la hubieses dado,” which means, “I would have known your address if you had given it to me.” Keep in mind that this tense is rarely used in modern Spanish, and is often replaced by the pluperfect subjunctive.

Here’s the conjugation table for conocer in the future perfect subjunctive tense:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the future perfect subjunctive tense:

• Hubieren conocido a su tía si hubiesen llegado a la estación a tiempo. / They would have met their aunt if they had arrived at the station on time.
• Nosotros hubieremos conocido a los amigos de Luciana si hubiesemos ido a la reunión. / We will have known Luciana’s friends if we had gone to the meeting.
• Tú hubieres conocido a la banda si hubieses comprado una entrada más cara. / You will have met the band if you had bought a more expensive ticket.

Pluperfect Subjunctive

The pluperfect subjunctive tense is used to discuss actions that happened before other actions in the past. We use conocer in this tense to make up theories about someone or someplace we had known. For example, you can say, “Si hubiera conocido a Rosa en ese entonces, no habría necesitado una tutora de alemán,” which means, “If I had known Rosa back then, I wouldn’t had needed a German tutor.”

You can find the pluperfect subjunctive conjugation table for the verb conocer right below:

Here are some example sentences showing how to conjugate conocer in the pluperfect subjunctive tense:

• Si hubieses conocido el camino, no te habrías perdido. / If you had known the way, you wouldn’t have been lost.
• Si hubiese conocido a los vecinos, no habría llamado a la puerta. / If I had known the neighbors I wouldn´t have knocked on the door.
• Si vos hubieras conocido a Ricardo, habrían sido buenos amigos. / If you had known Ricardo, you would have been good friends.

How to Conjugate Conocer in the Imperative Tense

In Spanish, the imperative tense allows us to give commands, orders, or offer advice. Conocer is not often used in the imperative tense, because commanding someone to know or not know something is hard. In this case, the meaning of conocer is adapted to “meet” to have more natural-sounding phrases. Still, the use of this verb in this tense is extremely limited. For example, you might see an ad that says, “¡Conoced al hombre más grande del mundo,” which translates to, “Meet the tallest man on Earth!”

Here’s the conjugation table for conocer in the imperative tense:

Tips for Conjugating Conocer Correctly

Remember that conocer is an irregular verb in Spanish, so it doesn’t follow regular verb patterns for conjugation. Learning to conjugate Spanish grammar can be tricky, even for native speakers. However, there are many authentic Spanish resources like videos, podcasts, and news articles that you can find online that can help you practice conjugating the verbs. This is a great way to develop a more natural understanding of the language.

Here are a few common expressions to help you practice. “No conoce a Dios” translates to “He doesn’t know God” and is a colloquial phrase used to point out someone’s reckless behavior. “No conoce la derrota” translates to “He doesn’t know defeat” and is used to refer to someone with a lot of willpower or who has never failed in completing a task.

Ways to Practice Conjugating Conocer

The best way to learn how to conjugate Spanish verbs is through constant study. However, learning verb conjugation can be time-consuming and frustrating if you are not using the best study method for you. Luckily, there are many ways to learn Spanish.

If you prefer to take quick lessons to reinforce your knowledge, Spanish apps have many interactive tools and are an excellent way to practice on the go. Spanish books are great reference tools and often have extensive grammatical explanations to help you understand the more difficult areas of the language. If you want more guidance in your study routine, online Spanish courses offer a structured lesson plan and you can learn at your own pace.

Conocer Conjugation FAQ

To conjugate the verb conocer, you need to decide the tense and tone for the idea you want to convey. Since conocer is an irregular verb, it doesn’t follow the same grammatical patterns as other verbs. For example, if you want to conjugate conocer in the perfect or perfect subjunctive tenses, you must use the auxiliary verb “haber” and the past participle of conocer (conocido).

The two most common past tenses for conocer are the indicative preterite (yo conocí) and the indicative imperfect (yo conocía). The two less common past tenses are the future perfect subjunctive (yo hubiere conocido) and the future subjunctive (yo conociere).

Conociendo is the gerund form of conocer. It can be used to point out what you are currently knowing. It’s often used to explain the cause of a consequential action. For example, you can say, “Conociendo el clima, será mejor que lleves un abrigo,” which means, “Knowing the weather, you better take a coat.”

Conocer means “to know.” Unlike the verb saber, conocer is used to express familiarity with people and places. For example, you can say “Yo conozco las montañas muy bien” which means, “I know the mountains pretty well.”

Maria Claudia Alvarado

Maria Alvarado is a content writer and translator from Lima, Peru. She graduated from the Savannah College of Arts and Design in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Writing. She is fluent in Spanish and English, has intermediate knowledge of French and German, and is learning Japanese. She hopes to bring consciousness about the importance of language learning through her articles and aspires to learn as many languages as possible.