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"Conocer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to know", and "venir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to come". Learn more about the difference between "conocer" and "venir" below.
conocer(
koh
-
noh
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to be familiar with
Estuve una vez en Cuzco pero no lo conozco bien.I’ve been to Cuzco once, but I'm not very familiar with it.
a. to get to know (a person or a place)
Conociéndolo mejor, veo que es buena persona.Getting to know him better, I can see he's a good person.
Cuando llegamos a Madrid, salimos a caminar para conocer la ciudad.When we got to Madrid, we went out to walk around and get to know the city.
b. to familiarize oneself with
Tómate algún tiempo para conocer las nuevas reglas.Take some time to familiarize yourself with the new rules.
a. to visit
Siempre me hablas de tu ciudad natal pero ¿cuando la voy a conocer?You always talk to me about your hometown, but when do I get to visit it?
b. to go to
Quiero conocer el sudeste asiático este verano.I want to go to Southeast Asia this summer.
c. to see
Ellos conocieron toda Europa durante su luna de miel.They saw all of Europe during their honeymoon.
d. no direct translation (in present perfect)
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Conoces Londres?Have you ever been to London?
No conozco Nueva Zelanda, pero me encantaría ir.I've never been to New Zealand, but I'd love to go.
8. (literary) (to have sexual relations with)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. to know (old-fashioned)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
Lázaro aún no había conocido hembra.Lazarus had yet to know a woman.
9. (to master)
a. to know
¡No te preocupes! Ella conoce este tema como la palma de su mano.Don't worry! She knows this topic like the back of her hand.
b. to speak (languages)
Ella conoce el francés y el alemán porque se crió en Suiza.She speaks French and German because she was raised in Switzerland.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
11. (to appear)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to try
El juez que conoce del caso podría ser recusado por una de las partes.The judge who tried the case may be recused by either party.
a. to know about
Él conoce de esa industria porque su papá fue ingeniero.He knows about that industry because his dad was an engineer.
conocerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
A reciprocal verb is a verb that indicates that two or more subjects perform an action on each other (e.g., Ellos se abrazan.).
a. to know each other
Es una pena que no nos llegamos a conocer mejor.It's a shame we didn't get to know each other better.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
18. (to be known)
venir(
beh
-
neer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
2. (to return)
5. (to occur)
a. to get
Me viene sueño en el trabajo después de almorzar.I get drowsy at work after having lunch.
A nosotros nos vino una gripe terrible.We got a terrible flu.
a. to come
Lo mejor está por venir.The best is yet to come.
Ahora viene la escena que me gusta.The scene I like is coming up.
b. next (followed by a timeframe)
La semana que viene estaré trabajando desde casa.I'll be working from home next week.
El año que viene visitaremos Japón.Next year we're traveling to Japan.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Unas largas vacaciones ahora me vendrían bien.A long vacation now would do me nicely.
Estas botas me vendrán bien cuando haya mucha nieve.These boots will come in handy when it's very snowy.
b. to work for
¿Te viene bien reunirnos mañana a las 4 pm?Does meeting at 4 pm tomorrow work for you?
a. to pick up
Avísale a Sofía que sus amigas han venido por ella.Tell Sofia her friends have come to pick her up.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Vino el mensajero a por el contrato?Has the messenger been to pick up the contract?
Venimos a por el perro.We're here to collect the dog.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
venirse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to come
Se vino una tormenta mientras nadábamos en la playa.A storm came upon us when we were swimming at the beach.
El perro se vino sin ser llamado.The dog came without being called.
17. (to return)
18. (colloquial) (sexual)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to come (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Se vino en tan solo unos minutos.She came in just a few minutes.
