Spanish word

conocido

Pronunciation

IPA/konoˈθiðo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounacquaintance

Example

Hablé con un conocido en la fiesta.

I spoke with an acquaintance at the party.

Illustration for conocido (acquaintance)

More examples

Vi a un viejo conocido en la estación.

I saw a longtime acquaintance at the station.

Core concept

A casual contact met only occasionally.

Common phrases

  • un conocido

    an acquaintance

  • un viejo conocido

    a longtime acquaintance

Similar words

amigo: Close companion who shares personal life, supports emotionally, and spends time socially.
compañero: Coworker or schoolmate who works or studies alongside others and collaborates regularly.
contacto: Business acquaintance maintained for professional exchanges, introductions, or opportunities.

Definition in Spanish

Indica a una persona con la que se tiene trato esporádico o reconocimiento mutuo, no una relación íntima.

Word origin

From the past participle of Spanish conocer 'to know', the participle became a noun meaning a non-intimate person and ultimately derives from Latin cognōscere 'to get to know'.

Usage tips

  • Use un/una conocido to mark a casual contact rather than a friend, and when the word follows a noun (escritor conocido) it usually reads as 'well known' rather than 'an acquaintance'.

Other meanings

  • famousadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word